Zion Lutheran

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 “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.  So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:8 Nicodemus was in a tough situation.  He was caught between a rock and a hard place.  He was drawn toward Jesus.  He was intrigued by what Jesus taught, by what Jesus did and by who Jesus was.  But, Nicodemus was a Pharisee.  It was his responsibility to make sure that the religious laws and practices were followed without exception and with no changes.  So, knowing that it would not be wise or safe, Nicodemus went to talk to Jesus at night when he would not be easily seen.

Nicodemus had many questions for Jesus but his main concern was, “How can these things be?  How can a person be born of water and spirit?  How can a person be born from above?  How does the Holy Spirit work?”  So, what is God doing?  God seems to be changing ‘the rules’.  Yes and no.  Yes, God opened the door to many more than the chosen people but this was motivated by his great love for all that he created.

 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”  John 3:16 Out of God’s great love for us, we have been given the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will be as mysterious as the wind.  You can see and hear the impact of the wind.  You know that it’s there, but you can not see where it comes from or where it is going.  The wind can be a cooling breeze but can also be alarming and troublesome.  The Holy Spirit can be calming and comforting.  The Holy Spirit can jolt us out of complacency, guiding us to the true source of hope and light in our life.

“But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”  John 3:21 How has the Holy Spirit been working in your life lately?  Has it been the source of comfort for you in times of trouble?  Are you looking for guidance from the Holy Spirit in your decisions?  Is the Holy Spirit calling you to fix something in your life – or try something new – or simply calling you to be more involved in the world around you?

I hope that you live with the constant awareness of God’s great love for you and the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in you life as well as the life of our congregation.  As you feel the gentle breeze or strong wind, give thanks to God for all that you have received and ask what God is calling you to do next.

In Christ,

Pastor Becky Sogge

  Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The Lord our God is the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth…” (Isaiah 40:28 and following)

Many times in my life these words and the ones that follow have brought me peace.  There is nothing magical about them – nothing magical about my saying them.  But there is a deep and enduring truth that Isaiah proclaims: if God is such as this, why should I worry?  Why should I fear?   For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear (to paraphrase Jesus) it would seem as though there are many things to fear in our life: global warming, terrorism and war, economies that threaten collapse, guns and drugs in places that destroy our community, interpersonal division that weakens our collective strength…you know the list, both personal and public.   What you may not know is that there is nothing on that list – yours or mine, personal or public – that God is unable to handle.  It troubles me that as a church we don’t proclaim that truth more often and more clearly.  The truth of the resurrection of Jesus is the truth that Isaiah shouts from the chapters of history – Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  God is the everlasting Creator…and you shall not fear!  The last words in that sentence are mine; but read the chapter for yourself and see if you don’t agree that Isaiah proclaims a freedom and a peace in the midst of a tumultuous and uncertain world.   Jesus has won this freedom for us.  The Father gives it to us as a gift.  If the uncertainty of our times has been gnawing at the edges of your mind lately, perhaps we have gone too far; far enough at least that Isaiah’s voice grows faint.  Come back.  Come back to a habit of regular worship where that voice is clear.  Come back to a practice of personal/family devotion and prayer where that voice draws you into relationship with God.  Come back to a lifestyle of generosity and giving where that voice is experienced as the material goodness of a generous God.   Are you looking for peace?  I know where it is found; and now so do you.  It’s not magic, it’s more powerful than that.  It is truth.  Only the word of God, and the truth of that word has the power to bring real peace.  Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  Then it’s time we remembered! God’s peace to you, Pr Steve

Dear Friends,I want to use this opportunity in the Pastor’s Page to tell you about an exciting congregational growth opportunity that will happen early in 2008 but for which the planning has already begun. Many of you participated in the “40 Days of Purpose” program two years ago which addressed the question, “What On Earth am I Here For?” During Lent of 2008 we will begin another journey with the “40 Days of Community Program.” Its’ theme is “Better Together: What On Earth Are We Here for?” Small groups will also be a part of this program as they were two years ago. In addition, age appropriate materials for every member of the family will be available. One unique feature will be a workbook for each of us that will include a daily devotional, daily journal and weekly small group study guide - all in one. Another component is a mission project that moves the church outside of our walls into the community.

Planning is now underway to make this an exciting community building experience for the whole congregation. Judy Weis is leading the planning process. If you would like to help with the planning or if you would like more information, call Judy Weis or me (Pastor John).

Small groups, which are a major part of this program, are a good way to make a large church smaller, help people to get to know one another better, and deepen ones faith. I encourage you to consider becoming involved in “40 Days of Community.”

Pastor John P. Folkerds

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

“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means teacher).

John 20:15-16, NIV

I would imagine that Mary would be like any of us. Memories of time spent and conversations shared with Jesus carried her through that quiet, holy Saturday. It would be too overwhelming to remember the horror of watching Jesus die on the cross. It would be better to remember her gentle and holy friend with all of his wonderful words and deeds. That holy Saturday was a necessary day of rest, but early the next morning she went to the tomb to take care of the tasks of proper burial.

But, when she arrived, Mary was distressed to be robbed of her last good-bye. As she was trying to make sense of all that took place, Mary heard her name. And, in hearing her name, she knew that the man standing before her was Jesus, risen from the dead. No longer did Mary feel lonely, forsaken or abandoned.

I never grow tired of hearing the resurrection story. I never grow tired of singing the Easter hymns. After the months of winter, I’m ready for spring. After forty days of Lent, I’m ready to hear the passages that walk us through Holy Week and I am ready for Easter.

The beauty of this story for each of us, is that hope and light overcome despair and darkness. In the midst of our grief and pain, Jesus calls each of us by name. In the good and bad times, Jesus is there calling our name, reminding us that we have been named by God and claimed as a child of God.

May this gospel story carry you through the challenges of life. May this gospel story challenge you to share these words with those around you. Each day is a wonderful gift from God. A gift to be cherished. A gift to be celebrated. A gift to be shared. Each day we are to rise to newness of life. Easter does not return Mary and Jesus to the past, but instead, Easter opens up a new future. In the time of sadness as well as joy, Jesus is calling your name, reminding you of his promise.

Listen closely to the passages of Holy Week and be ready to celebrate the Resurrection.

In Christ, Pastor Becky Sogge

“But if we are the body, why aren’t His arms reaching? Why aren’t His hands healing? Why aren’t his words teaching? And if we are the body, why aren’t His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way?” (Mark Hall © 2003 Club Zoo Music / SWECS Music)

These words from the song “If We are the Body” by the popular Christian music group “Casting Crowns” ask some pointed questions of those of us who call ourselves ‘the body of Christ’. What exactly does it mean to be ‘the body of Christ’?

That is the question that we are focusing on during Lent. We have already explored the “feet” and “hands” of Christ. We have yet to look at the mouth of Christ (7 March), the ears of Christ (14 March), the eyes of Christ (21 March), and the heart of Christ (28 March) as subjects.

Why bother? Because these parts of the body of Christ describe our roles as Christians in community. They help us to understand how God is at work in our world today, and where those who follow Jesus should be at work for the kingdom.

Maybe you have already given voice to the questions above; wondering why this body doesn’t act more definitively. Maybe you can answer the question ‘why’, having seen where this body does go to work. These are normal topics for Christians to discuss. We long to see Jesus in our everyday world. We are always looking for ways to see Him more clearly.

So if you have not already, make plans to come to Lenten worship on Wednesday evenings. Come looking for Jesus. Come expecting to see. Because regardless of where we are in our faith walk, part of discovering Jesus on our own journey is recognizing that, in your hands and in mine, He is already here.

We are the body…

God’s Peace to you! Pr Steve

We will soon be introducing the new ELCA hymnal in Zion. (See the article on page 13 of this newsletter for more information.) I have been in the Church long enough to have used three different hymnals and now four with the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. We always seem to identify them by their color. I remember the old black book from our Augustana Synod days, the red book introduced in 1958, the green book introduced in 1978 and now the new cranberry red book.

Change can sometimes be hard for all of us but I am sure we will come to value this latest worship book. It contains some wonderful new resources and still has lots of our old familier favorites. I have attended a workshop introducing the book and look forward to its introduction in the near future. I commend it to you. As Psalm 100 reminds us, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.”

Pastor John

Dear Friends in Zion,

I want to say a word of thanks from Judy and I for all of your support and prayers and good wishes while we have been experiencing family health concerns. Our grand daughter, Helena, was born on August 24 with a congenital heart defect. Her parents are our son and daughter-in-law Aaron and Mary. Helena has now undergone two surgeries, the latest on December 7. I am happy to report that she has recovered well from her latest surgery and is gaining weight and doing those things babies are supposed to do at her age. She will have another heart surgery in about a year, with additional surgeries every 5 years until she is full grown. The doctors continue to assure us that she will be able to lead a normal life. Forgive me a little grandfatherly pride if I say that she is also cute as a bug’s ear.

About the time Helena was born, Judy was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors removed the cancer in September and found that it had not spread into the lymph nodes, which was good news. She received chemo therapy treatment which was completed in January. She tolerated it well but it did leave her tired. She begins radiation treatment in February. Treatments will be given five days a week for six weeks.

So many people have expressed their concern for our family and kept us in their prayers. Your support, prayers and encouragement have lifted us up in a difficult time. We are thankful to God for upholding us in His care and healing and to all of you in the congregation for your concern. God bless you all. We look forward to renewed health in the new year. Happy New Year to you all!

Pastor John Folkerds