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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod



A Short Word from the Pastor

It’s hard to believe that Lent is almost here. We have just finished celebrating the birth of our Savior, and now we are beginning preparations for the period which precedes Jesus’ crucifixion. Even the church year moves fast.

 Lent is a good time for us to reflect on the cross and what that means for us. The church has set aside forty days for us to do that. I hope we will take the opportunity to repent of the sins we’ve committed against the Lord and our neighbor. Repentance is a major theme of Lent. 

To help us concentrate our thoughts on repentance, Zion will have a midweek service each week during the entire season of Lent. I hope we will take advantage of these services and use them to better our relationship with the Lord and each other. It’s never too late to begin to think about spiritual matters.

Lent also turns our attention to forgiveness and the resurrection of Jesus. As we repent of our sins, may we turn to Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus forgave us and will raise us on the Last Day. May the season of Lent increase our longing to be raised from the dead so that we might live with Jesus forever.               

 Please, don’t let the hustle and bustle of life deprive you of the opportunity to get in touch with your heart and the Lord this Lenten season. Take advantage of the worship opportunities available to you. May God bless and keep you.                                                     Pastor Doug
                                         

Worship Services:
     
    On the last Sunday of each month, we conduct a Contemporary Worship Service. Our next Contemporary Worship Service will be held on February 26th, 2012, at 10:30 AM.
       Because of our Soup Suppers, which are served starting at 5:45 PM on Wednesday Evenings, (1st one to be served on February 22nd, and our Lenten Worship Services held on Wednesday nites at 6:30 PM,  our regular Monday Evening Worship Service with Holy Communion (which is held the 1st Monday Evening,-after-the 1st Sunday of the month will be cancelled in March & April. Our next Monday Evening Worship will resume on May 7th.  Please make a note of this.
  • Games Night - Thursday, February 2nd, at 7:00 PM.  Anyone who is interested in playing cards or board games are invited to come and join the fun. Please bring the games you would like to play. You may also bring a snack to pass as well.
  • LWML - Thursday, February 9th, -  2:00 PM.
  • Lenten Services: February & March 2012
    Lenten Services will begin Wednesday, February 22nd.  Ash Wednesday Worship with Holy Communion at 6:30 PM, preceded by a Soup Supper which will begin at 5:45 PM
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What’s Happening in Missions
     Our congregation directly supports the ministry of the Baker family (David, Rachel, Julia, Timothy, Daniel, & Esther) in Khazakhstan. Continue to keep them in your prayers. Their latest letter to us was printed in last month’s newsletter:
    The LWML at Zion supports the work of Alvina Federwitz. We continue to keep her in our prayers as she serves the people of Africa. This is what she has to say in her latest letter to us.
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Update from Camp Luther:
     For more information on Camp Luther Events, you may contact them at: ( 877-264-CAMP =(2267), or you are welcome to come to Zion and pick up a copy of the November Newsletter.
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HEALTH CORNER
"OBESITY"

OBESITY: (a body mass index of 30 or higher)

The term obesity is used to describe the health condition of anyone significantly above his or her ideal healthy weight.  Don't be discouraged by the term.  It simply means you are 20% or more above your ideal wight and you are not alone.  Between 60 and 70% of Americans are either overweight or obese.  Being obese puts you at a higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and more.

OBESITY STATISTICS:

About 12 million (16.9%) of U.S. children ages 2 to 19 are obese.
Nearly one in three (31.7%) U.S. children (23,500,000) ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese.
Over one-third (33.7%) of U.S. adults are obese (nearly 75 million adults).

YOUR HEALTHIEST WEIGHT:

Everyone needs a goal and we need positive reasons to achieve those goals.  Even taking off a few pounds can provide you with cardiovascular benefits, so every step in the right direction is a step toward healthier living.  Consider these reasons to work toward maintaining a healthy weight.

WHEN YOUR WEIGHT IS IN A HEALTHY RANGE:

  • Your body more effectively circulates blood
  • Your fluid levels are more easily managed
  • You are less likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and sleep apnea.

OBESITY IS DEFINED SIMPLY AS TOO MUCH BODY FAT

Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrates and vaious vitamins and minerals.  If you have too much fat -- especially around your waist -- you're at a higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diatetes, haert disease and stroke.

  • Raises blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels,.
  • Lowers HDL "good" cholesterol.  HDL cholesterol is linked with lower heart disease and stroke risk, so reducing it tends to raise the risk.
  • Raises blood pressure levels.
  • Can induce diabetes.  In some people, diabetes makes these other risk factors much worse.  The danger of heart attack is especially high for these people.

Even when there are no adverse effects on the known risk factors, obesity by itself increases risk of heart disease.

It also harms more than just the heart and blood vessel system.  It's a major cause of gallstones and can worsen degenerative joint disease.

Obesity is mainly caused by taking in more calories than are used up in physical activity and daily life.  When people eat too many claories, or too much saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, their blood cholesterol levels often rise.  That raises their risk of heart disease.

Taken from: The International Parish Nurse Resource Center

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 Why did God give health rules to His people?
     "And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes . . . for our good always, that he might preserve us alive."  Deuteronomy 6:24.  "And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee."  Exocus 23:25
Answer:  God gave health rules because He knows what is best for the human body.  Automobile manufacturers place an "operations manual" in the glove compartment of each new car because they know what is best for their product.  God, who made our bodies, also has an "operations manual."  It is called the Holy Bible.  Ignoring God's "operations manual" results in disease, twisted thinking, and burned-out lives, just as abusing a car (against the manufacturer's counsel) results in serious car trouble.  Following God's rules results in "saving health" (Psalms 67:2) and more abundant life (John 10:10).  These great health laws are like a wall or fence to keep out the diseases of Satan.  god tells us what these rules are so we can avoid the devil's traps.

HUMOR:

Light travels faster than sound.  That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.