Zion Lutheran

Third Sunday of Easter April 22, 2007

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Dear Friends in Christ,It has been my privilege to serve as one of Zion’s pastors since 1974. In these thirty-three years the congregation has grown and changed in a variety of ways and has been a strong witness of Jesus Christ in the Buffalo area and beyond. It has been a joy to be a pastor in this faith community and I am grateful for all who have shared in Zion’s outreach during these years. I have always felt the love, support and encouragement of the congregation for my ministry and for our family.

In September of this year I will be 62 years old. After a great deal of prayer and thought and conversation with my wife, Judy, I have made the decision to retire as Zion’s Senior Pastor on September 1, 2007. This has not been an easy decision to make. Zion has been a wonderful place to serve the majority of my ministry. Here our children were born, baptized, confirmed and grew up in the faith. As we have been faced with personal health concerns over the years your prayers and support have lifted us. I am happy to report that Judy’s radiation treatments are soon to be completed and the doctors tell us that she is doing very well. My health is also good. Our granddaughter, Helena, is doing very well and will have another heart surgery in about a year.

Throughout my years at Zion I have had the opportunity to work with excellent pastors, staff and countless volunteers. It has been a joy to work with Pastor Becky and Pastor Steve in these last years and I extend my thanks and appreciation to them and to all those who have shared in Zion’s ministry. Zion has been very good to our family for which I will always be grateful.

Retirement will give us the opportunity to slow the pace of life a little (although retired people tell me they are busier than ever), spend more time with family, especially in the role of grandparents, and also to do some traveling. We look forward to this next chapter in our lives.

Zion is a vibrant congregation with strong, capable leadership and I pray that God’s blessings will be with you all as you enter into these next years of ministry. Please keep the congregation and its’ leadership in your prayers. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit I have great confidence in Zion’s future.

Thank you to all of you for your support and your friendship. I will miss our day to day interaction and all of the ways you have welcomed me into your lives and homes. May the peace of Christ be with you all.

In Christ’s Love,

John P. Folkerds

Senior Pastor

Response from the Council President

Second Sunday of Easter Sunday, April 15, 2007

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Easter Service Sunday April 8, 2007

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4/6/07 Good Friday - Pastor Steve Svoboda & Barbara Stoffel

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