Opportunities for YOU this Spring/Summer:

-Preschool VBS

"Growing With God" features bible stories, activities, music and fun for children who will be three by September 1, 1999 through Kindergarten. Preschool VBS will again be held with First Lutheran (at Zion) the week of May 3-7 from 9:30-11 am.

"The Great Bible Land Dig – Exploring the Life of Jesus’, will be held June 14-18 from 7-9 pm. This year’s materials are truly exciting and feature an enhanced family focus. Be sure these dates are blocked out on your calendar Now! If you wish to teach or help out in some way, please contact the church office or Dorothy Stenberg.

-Bible Day Camp for children in Grades 1-4 will be held the week of July 18-22 this year. Children have the opportunity to learn bible camp songs and hear the old bible stories told in new and creative ways. One day will be spent at Green Lake Bible Camp enjoying those fine facilities. We ;hope many of our 1^st-4^th graders will take advantage of this great opportunity.

**April 11 – "Healing the Children – Minnesota". HTC is a non-profit volunteer organization that arranges for donated medical services for children from around the world. The MN Chapter is headed by Jan Schlack and has brought 35 children into Minnesota since it began in 1988. Some of the children have attended Sunday School and Worship at Zion! Come learn about the children and what YOU can do to help more of them receive the medical treatment they so desperately need!

**April 18 has been designated as "Chemical Health Sunday" by the Board of Social Concerns. A display will be set up in the narthex offering information about drug, alcohol and cigarette addictions. Dave Schlack, Lutheran pastor and Chemical Dependency counselor, will offer a message during both services relating to the spiritual aspects of chemical dependency. Dave will also lead the adult forum with the emphasis on his work in the Litchfield schools, and services available to those families experiencing chemical problems. AAL Branch 11044 here at Zion is helping to sponsor this day.

Saturday, April 17 at Luther Seminary, St. Paul

Keynote Speaker: Phillip Butler, International Director; Special Guest Speaker: Dr Oswald Hoffman, Lutheran Hour Preacher Emeritus.

Workshops, Exhibits, Networking; Joy-filled worship with a global perspective

Cost $25; more information from Zion Mission Board

This year the World Hunger Appeal celebrates its 25^th anniversary. For 25 years members of the ELCA and its predecessor church bodies have saved lives and helped communities in need achieve sustainable development (helping people help themselves) with funds from its World Hunger Appeal.

This fund is supported totally by specially designated offerings and individual gifts from congregations of the ELCA. No general benevolence funds are used. In the past the Appeal has raised about $12 million a year from these designated offerings and gifts.

You have an opportunity to help keep this light shining in dark places by stopping by the church office for a special World Hunger contribution envelope, or you can send a special gift directly to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, PO Box 71764, Chicago IL 60694-1764.

"The one who shows mercy…..Go and do likewise".

1 hand towel and 1 wash cloth; 1 bath-size bar soap

6 band-aids (1/2" to ¾"); 1 toothbrush; 1 tube toothpaste, 5-7 oz.

1 comb; 1 metal nail file, or nail clippers with file attached.

You may leave items in the marked box in the closet off Fellowship Court. If you would rather contribute money, please leave it at the church office. Stewardship members will shop and also assemble kits. These 2 months would be a great project for children to get involved.

Let’s be able to send several kits!!

Saturday, April 17…4:30-7 pm at the Litchfield Civic Arena

Adults $5; 6-12 $3; under 6 free.

All proceeds go to the Meeker County Council on Aging Senior Transportation Program.

The following new member families were received into Zion’s fellowship on Sunday, March 21.

Please greet these folks and help them to feel at home with us.

**Robert & Linda Gutormson, Tony (11) and Shane (7).

602 Estates Ave. Ph. 693-3314

Rob is employed at Minnesota Rubber and Linda works at First Federal Bank

**Pastor Tim & Lisa Hansen, Kai (9), Karin (7) and Anders (3)

Pastor Tim is new to our Zion staff, and Lisa is a dietician. He can presently be reached through the church office and the family plans to move when the school term ends.

**Marty Jones and Andrew Heinle, Keisha (9), Kyle Hunter (4) and Baylee (1)

**JayLee Leaf, Amelia (13) Christina (11) and Cassandra (9).

619 W. 5^th St. Ph. 693-8473

JayLee is employed at the Meeker County Memorial Hospital

**Victor & Jean Schultz

821 E. 10^th St Ph. 693-6689

Vic & Jean are retired, and moved to Litchfield from the metro area.

**William & Leona Schultz

417 N Gorman Ave. Ph. 693-0373

Bill farms and Leona works at More-4. They are also the parents of Zion members Gale & Kathy Larson.

**Hope Simonson & Mike Marquett, Elizabeth (4^th gr.) & Jeffrey (2^nd gr.) Dreger

114 Park Village Ph. 693-6997

Hope is employed at Emmanuel Nursing Home and Mike drives truck for MN Express Trucking.

They plan to be married at Zion in August.

**Kary & Stephenie Sommerfeld, Kayla (5 ½) & Kennedy (2 ½).

917 E 4^th St. Ph. 693-8253

Kary works for Anderson Chemical and Stephenie is a self-employed day care provider.

1 – Muriel Koepp, Bruce Miller

2 – Duane McKenzie

3 – Ed Ahlbrecht, Lynett Holmgren, Ashlee Lundberg

4 – Cheryl Minks, Jim Taina, Nathan Hagen

5 – Kenneth Jensen, Dick Penk, Beth Schlauderaff

6 – Ron Andresen, Carole Hall, Dave Solbrack

7 – Rodger Lehr, Elwood McKenzie, Stacy Puckett

8 – Dianne Barka, Amy Gish, Dorothy Gross, Barb Johnson, Jan Schlack, Sue Swenson, Marla Thissen

9 – Glenn Bulau, Glenn Larson, Kathy Warmbier

10 – Trent Langemo, Brian Schwandt

11 – Jo Seitz

12 – Fu Goto, Manford Peterson, John Weseman

13 – Tiffany Blair, Donna Gulbransen, Bob Koepp, Tim Swenson

14 – Janice Nelson, Ayla Pearson

15 – Kim Eekhoff, Justin Johnson, Brandon Kaczmarek, Mary Lou Slinden, Sara Thissen

16 – Kris Haugo, Zachary Hoffman, Tifani Johnson, Arlene Thompson, Jamie Wollin

17 – Brian Berglund, Laura Carlson, Bob Hoffman, Susan Rohrbeck, Erica Staton, Chrystal Swanson

18 – Barb Andresen, Dan Barka, Bonnie Boe, Mary Grams, Wally Minks, Aimee Smahel

19 – Gina Carlson, Stacy Reed

20 – Marjorie Carlson, Bradley Johnson, Andrew Midtling

21 – Andrew Ahlbrecht, Maurice Beach, Breman Ulrich

22 – Adam Barka, Ardelle Bergquist, Jim Bye, Helen Evenson, Brooks Holmgren, Wes Holmgren

23 – Jake Schlack, Vivian Taina

24 – Jerry Fitzloff,Wanda Mortenson, Laurie Nicklasson, Jessica Schaps

25 – Bruce Johnson, Melissa Maxwell, Cedric Williams

26 – Reuben Bergquist, Ruby Lien, Mary lundberg, Tony Overson, Donna Peterson, Stacie Smith, Rebecca Valiant

27 – Michael Lux, Matthew Martens, Cassandra Pearson, Dawn Redepenning, Arlene Williams

28 – Sheena Kindseth, David Wenaas

29 – Kathy Ackerman, Kathy Larson, Amanda Midtling, Nikki Sundin, Hailey Ulrich, Adam White

30 – Tim Haugo, Katie Pearson, Troy Urdahl, Angela Lackey, Baylee Jones

(new member birthdays not yet available)

Doubletree Hotel Sheraton Midway Hotel

Minneapolis Airport 651-642-1234

At the Mall of America

612-854-2244

Welcome to the monthly update of Aid Association for Lutherans Branch #11044.

Your branch officers for the 1999 year are:

Chairman – Paul White; Vice Chairman – Jan Schlack

Recorder – Marla Thissen; Treasurer – John Nicklasson

Our branch meetings are the 2^nd Wednesday of each month at 8:45 pm, right after Zion’s board meetings. Contact any of the above officers if you have any needs.

We are looking forward to an eventful year of "Serving More People, Meeting More Needs".

This is part of AAL’s vision. We’ll be sponsoring dessert and matching funds for the Council on Aging Supper in April. Jan Schlack will be heading up a chemical awareness educational Sunday forum on April 18 (see details elsewhere in this newsletter).

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24. A special thanks goes to those volunteers at Zion who have brightened the lives of many people in their church, branch and community through their many caring acts.

Until next month……Celebrate the joy of Easter!

Marla Thissen, Recorder

Dear people of Zion,

We would like to thank you for your welcoming spirit that you have shared with us as we have come to minister with you. Lisa, Kai, Karin, Anders and I are excited about this new part of our journey and look forward to working with you in this ministry. We want to thank you for your hospitality and your gracious welcome at our installation and throughout our first week among you. We also want to thank the Call Committee and the leadership for their commitment and faith in the carry-ing out of their ministry. We would also like to thank the staff: Kathy, Dorothy, Deb, Evelyn, Keith and Wes for their partnership in this ministry. We look forward to our journey together. Finally, we would like to thank Harvey, Marie and Jon for their friendship and companionship in this ministry. We are excited about future together. Thank you for your caring spirit. May God bless our loving and serving together at Zion, in Litchfield, and throughout the world.

Peace,

Pastor Tim

Connie Meyer, coordinator

Elaine Lindell Warren & Jean McQuay

Beth Lindquist Marland & Connie Meyer

Rick & Cheryl Loge Bob & Darlene Mickelson

Dennis & Joyce Lokken Shannon Mickelson

Doug & Mary Lundberg Brad & Clarice Midtling

Gordy & Carol Lupfer Debbie Midtling

Margaret Lupfer Kevin & Kristine Midtling

Ron & Bonnie Lupfer Marlene Midtling

Al & Lucy Luthens Bruce & Juli Miller

Roland & Susan Luthens Dale & Merrie miller

Michael & Bridget Lux Glenn & Ann Miller

Mike & Barb Macho Jerry & Virgie Miller

Sonya Macho Paula Miller

Matt & Shelly Mackedanz Larry & Laura Minks

Rod Magnuson Wallace & Cheryl Minks

Steve & Lois Malepsy Diane Mitchell

Jerome & Karen Manning

Bill & Darlene Martens

David & Jane Maxwell

Gary & Michele McCown

Donna McGraw

Don & Norma McKenzie

Duane McKenzie

Elwood & Mary McKenzie

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." (Luke 24:1-5)

Dear Friends in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

It is hard to imagine the terror and fear that these women had as they witnessed the open tomb and the men in dazzling apparel on that first Easter morning. Most of us look forward to Easter Sunday because it is such a special day in the church year. The sanctuary is decorated with all kinds of flowers, and the aroma of those flowers combined with Easter breakfast leads us to believe that this is no ordinary day. People start arriving early with special Easter outfits and the choirs begin rehearsing and it is easy to see that this is a special day. But, for these women, on that day, things were not typical. They were surprised by an occurrence for which they were unprepared. "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

Imagine that! Jesus is no longer dead, but he is living! No wonder they were seized with terror. Who could imagine such an event? Our small human minds have difficulty fathoming such a possibility. But what does it mean? For Jesus is no longer dead. He is no longer a corpse, but a risen Savior, whose resurrection breaks the bonds of death and gives us hope in our resurrections. Our lives are no longer the same. We are new creations, adopted in our baptisms, and grafted on to this living vine which is nourished and sustained by our living God. Easter is a day to celebrate the victory of God’s love breaking into the world and defeating the power of death. That is why we sing our "Alleluias" over and over again. We can now live every day as Easter!

May you be comforted by this hope and renewed to live lives of love.

Peace,

Pastor Tim

During Easter and in spring new life is on our minds. Easter’s resurrection news reminds us that God has new realities for us. Spring tells us that new life is coming forth and the future is full of great possibility. I feel that way especially this year with the coming of Pastor Tim. To me the future at Zion seems full of good hope.

Now with sunshine and bright days we are aware of how good God is.

We see that God gives us the air we breathe, the warm sunshine, the rain

To make plants to grow and even the wood in our roofs. God is the source of life and God keeps us alive with ‘daily bread."

We as Christians are blessed because in Jesus we know that God gives us all this. Not only this, but God gives us our bodies, our talents and our abilities. Like other people we are tempted to think, "This is mine." But the great news we have is: "All these are gifts from God."

God gives these gifts to all people. We receive these gifts every day, but we Christians are different because we know it. We know God loves us, God blesses us and God gives us countless gifts. Since all these gifts are from God, the question to us is "How are you using them to serve God and help others?" The question is: "What kind of stewards are we?" We Christians cannot NOT be managers of God’s gifts. That is by nature who we are. What we must consider is "How can I be the best steward of what God has given me?"

Fellow stewards, those are wonderful questions, and wonderful opportunities to serve God in daily life. Think of it: You and I are stewards of the gifts of God! How blessed we are!!

In Christ our life giving Lord,

Pastor Harvey

Zion Web Site http://www.zionchurch.net

Circle meeting places on April 6 are as follows:

9:30 am Elizabeth – Ruth Klug-404 E. 6^th St

Esther – Norma Snelling-621 W. Crescent

Rebekah – Carol Dammann-801 W. 4^th St.

Ruth – Alpha Jaques-upstairs at 502 N Ramsey

2:00 pm Hannah at church

7:30 pm Sarah – Karen Manning-319 E. Pacific

April 7 – Mary Circle (time & place to be announced)

Other Dates to Remember: Thursday, April 8, 1:30 pm WELCA at First Lutheran

Tuesdays, April 13 & 27 – 8 am Mission Sewing

Wednesday, April 14 – Zion serves noon meal for bloodmobile workers

Tuesday, April 20 – Spring Gathering of Crow River Conference

5:30 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

****Meet at Zion parking lot, 4:45 pm, to pool rides.

Phyllis Myers, president of our Crow River Conference, encourages ALL women to have an evening out and come to the gathering to hear dynamic Rosie Rogers, president of Synodical Women of the ELCA. She is a true "cheerleader" for the organization. Theo Mbatha from South Africa and currently a student at Gustavus Adolphus College may also be present.

April 23 – 3 pm Clean-up begins. Again, we need your help.

MEN, we need your help!! Please volunteer….many hands make the task so much easier.

We wish the Mission Sewing Group to have another successful sale.

Friday, April 23 – 9:30 am Hannah Circle at Emmanuel Home

Monday, April 26 – 7 pm WELCA board meeting

Tuesday, April 27 – 7 pm Circle lesson leader training

WELCA warmly welcomes Pastor Tim and his family! Thanks to everyone who attended the celebration potluck on Installation Sunday, those who brought the delicious food and all who helped with preparation and clean-up. Again, many hands made the task much easier!