Black History Celebration Service
11:00 am on Zoom Feb 28
We are a welcoming, caring community, called by Christ and enabled by the spirit, to share God’s love by living our faith.
Mount Zion
Lutheran Church, Waterloo
The Jyrkama Family
News from Mount Zion
July 10, 2020
Sanctuary Roof Update
Since 1986, our green roof has sheltered our worship and office space. A few years ago, leaks began to appear. Lately the leaks have increased and now occur every time it rains. The green membrane is failing and is riddled with many small bullet-like holes caused by moisture trapped under the surface, heating and expanding. It turns out that patching the roof several times, was a short-term solution which is no longer working.
The roof needs to be replaced this year.
The property committee is now collecting quotes for different kinds of roofing systems. COVID 19 has slowed this process down but we are hopeful that we will have numbers and firm plans shortly.
Council will be providing further details shortly which will include a request for special funding to meet this unexpected financial challenge. Watch for this, and please give this your prayerful consideration.
Karen Gastmeier on behalf of Church Council
In our
prayers
In Our Prayers
In this 50th anniversary year of the ordination of women, I would like to recognize those woman in our own congregation who are ordained and have faithfully served the church in various capacities – Pastor Judi Harris, Pastor Nancy Kelly and Pastor Claudine Carlson. We remain thankful to God and grateful to you for your ministry and your continuing involvement in the life of the church.
Let us especially uphold Bill and Joyce Brown and the larger family in our prayers. Bill’s brother Jack died on July 7. He also just lost his sisters Betty and Carol in May and June. Let us pray for peace and comfort as they go through this very difficult time.
Let us continue to remember Gwen, Christine, Margaret, Willie, David, Conrad and Zach in our prayers, that they would experience wholeness and healing. Let us pray for the women clergy of our church and other sister traditions. Thank God for their gifts and the contributions they have made to the ministries of the church.
Pastor Philip
Starlight sower by HAI KNAFO
The Season of Pentecost
Readings and Psalm for July 12
Genesis 25:19-34,
Psalm 65: [1-8] 9-13,
Romans 8:1-11 and
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.
June Financials...Better than anticiapted! Thank you
Our results for the six month period ending June 30, 2020 in the Ministry & Mission (Current) account reflect a surplus of $7,167 which is $20,636 better than Plan. This is a remarkable achievement considering the shutdown of our facilities resulting in an inability to realize rental revenue.
Thank You to our faithful members who continued to support the ministry during this unusual time. In addition, thank you to our Federal Government who contributed $13,831 in Emergency Wage Subsidy which has enabled us to support the full complement of staff during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Please read the full report.
Richard Brubacher, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairperson
Links and Lessons
As all of us are aware, we will continue to worship virtually till the end of August, when we will revisit the decision in the light of how the situation is at the time. The leadership of the congregation will keep everyone informed of the developments and are working on making the transition to in-person worship as smooth as possible. I am grateful that we have the technology which made possible our virtual worship and other gatherings.
Please feel free to invite friends and family that you think would like attending our services, forward them the invites. We will continue to have children’s sermon on Sundays. Pastor Philip
Zoom Links
SUNDAY 10 am (Sign in any time after 9:30 am)
https://zoom.us/j/741745428?wd=N2QvYUZoS0NRZGIwc2xnc3ZGSmRmUT09
Meeting ID: 741 745 428 Password: 128324
VESPERS 7:00 pm Monday - Thursday evenings(Sign in any time after 6:30, Service starts at 7:00 pm)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82644087778
Meeting ID: 826 4408 7778
MEN'S BREAKFAST 9:00 a.m. Thursday
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84760781137
Postludes and Preludes from previous services can be accessed by clicking on the YouTube icon at the top of the page.
Vespers include stimulating conversation
Vespers
During these days of distancing and cancelation of in-person worship the vespers have been a very welcome addition to the activities at Mount Zion. We started by meeting all 7 days at 7 pm, but since the beginning of summer we have only been meeting Mondays through Thursdays.
This is a very informal get-together every evening for around an hour. More than a time to come together in prayer and build community, this is also an occasion to do some serious thinking about issues of faith and our day to day living. When the protests for racial justice began we used the devotionals by Richard Rohr to deeply look at the issue of racism. We had some serious and difficult conversations together. Of late we have been going over some of the Minor Prophets in the bible. We looked at their context and history and briefly went over the main focus of the books in terms of justice, worship and so on.
Feel free to join the group when you can, it is both fun and stimulating!
Pastor Philip
Pablo T Blanco
Interested in participating in worship leadership?
We are looking for Assisting Ministers for the fall schedule.
Congregational participation in leading worship is an essential feature of any vibrant church community. Serving as an assisting minister can enrich your own spiritual experience and enhance the service for your fellow congregants. While the schedule is full for the summer, why not try it out this fall?
Duties of an assisting minister include leading the intercessory prayers, prayers that come after the Peace, the Lord's Prayer and the final dismissal. You could prepare your own intercessory prayers – or Philip can send them to you.
If you are interested in serving as an assistant minister please contact Pastor Philip, Bill Gastmeier or Di Groffen, they will answer any questions you may have.
How can lay people participate in worship leadership?
This article by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, explains the origins of congregational leadership by pointing to First Corinthians, in which Paul describes the church.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Cor.12: 12).
Upcoming events
Aug 16 - Bishop Michael Pryse visit
Oct 22 1 - 3 pm Fall Book Discussion
Nov 21 5:30 pm Caribbean Christmas Party
Feb 28 2021 Black History Month Celebrations