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Looking Up | Reaching Out Campaign
FAMILY TESTIMONIALS
An
Eternal Investment It’s hard for me to believe
that
some fifty years ago, Pastor Grother held me in his arms to receive the
Sacrament of Holy Baptism here at Zion. Even more amazing is that
some of
you were there to welcome me into the Lord’s family on that special
day! My
parents, having a strong faith in Christ, believed it was important to
share
that faith foundation with their children – all five of us.
Sundays were always an important day of the week; a day of fellowship
and
gathering with our church family, bringing us closer to God and to each
other.
Many friendships were made here at Zion and have been a source of
strength and
support through the years.
The Buetow family has been
members
of Zion for about eighteen years. When I was asked to speak about what
Zion
means to me, my first reaction was to say no. This was definitely
taking
me way out of my comfort zone! So I prayed about what I could
say.
God’s answer was not immediate, but He did help. Eventually He
helped me
pinpoint exactly what it was that has kept us here at Zion all these
years.
The obvious answer was music, because that is my passion. It is
an
important part of giving praise to our Lord and enhancing our worship
services.
I hope you were able to attend the Christmas Cantata and brought
a friend
with you. It was a great opportunity for outreach! Zion
is unusually blessed with talented musicians, and I began to think
about what
God has taught me from serving in the choirs. I came up with many
life
and biblical lessons: singing in harmony is easier when you listen to
each
other; or there can only be one director; or God does not listen to the
beauty
of the voice, but to the beauty in the heart of the voice being raised
to
Him. Many voices raised to his glory still bring chills to my
spine. That
is why Zion is so important to me…it is the people…my church family. Is
my
church perfect? No, but I see Christ’s light shine through so
many of our
members as they have helped me grow closer to the Lord. Many
members have provided examples of the fruits of a Godly life. I
have
watched Pastor Grother visit shut-ins and provide meaningful messages,
guidance
and love well into his 90’s. Pastor Seeber has shared his
personal grief
and struggles, and how to give praise to God even in difficult
times. And
then there are so many other members who have taught our littlest ones,
played
for services while physically hurting, the faithful Braille volunteers,
and the
choirs who give so much of their time in rehearsals. I could go
on, but
it would be difficult to mention all the people who have touched me. So
what makes Zion so special? It is Christ’s love shining through
its
members. Colossians 3:15-17 says: “…And be thankful. Let
the
message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one
another
with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God
with gratitude in your hearts Zion’s
Impact On Us Nancy and I joined Zion
thirty years ago. We have been
richly blessed by Zion’s members and staff. I could talk about
the
Christian education my children have received, our many friends who
stood by us
when we suffered loss or difficulties, or when you loved us when we did
not
deserve it. I want to tell you how Zion helped me answer the
question of
when am I going to retire? I have thought long and hard about
“retirement”. It was not until I reflected on my baptism,
partaking in
Holy Communion and hearing God’s Word proclaimed at Zion that I finally
figured
out the answer. So now I can tell you when I am going to retire –
NEVER! Zion has helped me figure out that no matter what age, state of health, or lack of hair, my full time job is to be a child of God. I have had many part time jobs as Director of Admissions, DCE, and consultant. But those jobs do not define me for I have been a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle or friend. My full time job is to be a child of God. I will do my best to never retire. Isn’t this the same job God gives you? I no longer see you as a teacher, nurse, retiree, secretary, engineer, accountant, or student. Seeing you as a “child of God,” changes how much I respect, appreciate, and love you. So what does this full time job mean for today and tomorrow? I am called to be the very person and child of God that I can be. I will probably fail at that, but I am assured of God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ. The neatest thing happened to me trying to figure out “retiring”. It has given me a great opportunity to witness to my faith. When people ask me this question and hear “Never” as the answer, I get this strange look, and then they want to know why. I believe that being a child of God is a full time job and that I will never retire from doing that. The same is true for you. People are always asking, what do you do, or what are you going to be after you finish school? When you see yourself as a child of God, it gives you a great opportunity to share your faith. I am thankful that God planted us at Zion, and that you have helped me answer the question of when am I going to retire? My answer is NEVER! I hope each of you will see your life in the same way. Nancy and Dennis Dressler Our
Journey of Faith Phyllis and I joined Zion
in 1988
transferring from Prince of Peace Lutheran in Portage. We went
from a
small church to Zion, a large church. We were seeking
anonymity.
After six years as an Elder, six more as President-Elect, President,
Past
President, then Vice President of Property, and serving on other
committees, I
concluded that anonymity is over rated. Phyllis and I also work
in the
Braille Ministry. She is a member of the Altar Guild and the
State
Hospital Ministry. For 15 years we have been members of an
evening Bible
Class. Our
son, Jamie and his wife (Lauren) and their three children (Phoebe,
Matthew and
Anthony) worship at Zion. Lauren and Matthew are integral parts
of the
Bare Bones Puppet Ministry. When “Bare Bones” performs at
assisted living
facilities, the children puppeteers bond with the residents and
vice-versa. Where
Can I Serve Dinda’s have sung in the
choir,
taught Sunday School, and served at Zion since my grandparents, Paul
and Irene
came to Kalamazoo in 1921. Beginning with my father, Keith,
thirty
Dindas have been baptized at Zion. We’ve had confirmations,
weddings,
(though my parents eloped!) and funerals. In times of joy and
sorrow,
Zion is home. The Choir Loft and Sunday School classrooms were the
usual places
for my family’s service. But, where would I serve? While Dad grew up at Zion,
my mom, Jackie, was born and
raised in Woodland, MI. My parents met at WMU in 1946 at Gamma
Delta,
Zion’s College Youth Group, or as Mom put it, “the Solid Grounds of the
day”. Mom was baptized and confirmed at Zion on Pine
Street. My
parents brought us to Zion. For me, that meant here on Bronson
Boulevard. I went to Sunday School, Catechism, and Youth Group in
the
“new” education addition. My earliest memories
include Christmas Eve at Zion:
Mom with the kids and Dad with the choir. We’d look at the window
and
wait for the choir and dad to sing. Dad began singing with the
choir at
thirteen - that’s seventy years in the choir. Mom can’t sing, but
she has
other gifts. She knows most of the congregation by name because
Mom does
the attendance. Mom’s a teacher, so, she taught Sunday
School. I’m
sure the Dinda most associated with Sunday School is my Aunt
Doris. She
welcomed Zion’s three-year olds into her room for 45 years. The
lessons
she taught of Easter with those Dixie cup gardens are the foundation of
my
faith. Where would I serve?
Seven years ago, I received a
call that changed my life. I was asked to serve on a Call
Committee. We
didn’t find an associate pastor, but we found Pastor Mark for Campus
Ministry. I came to know members of Zion I’d known only by name
and
sight. Then I was elected Director-at-Large on Zion’s Board where
I
currently serve as recording secretary. I became a Worship Assistant
and joined
the Altar Guild. Recently, Pastor Noah asked me to help with the
High
School Youth. I’ve also taught a few classes for Adult Faith and
Life and
next I’ll teach the Middle School kids. I found my places to serve:
in meeting rooms, at the Altar,
and in church classrooms. Through the Looking Up/Reaching Out
Campaign,
we will see our ministries grow with the addition and renovations to
the
building. These new spaces will bring fresh opportunities for
service and
spiritual growth. I wonder where I’ll find myself next.
Capital
Campaign Testimonial Helen and I have been
members of Zion for 49 years. We met
at South Dakota State College when we spent so much time together that
my
grades suffered. I told her that we had to get married before I flunked
out of
my Civil Engineering courses. So she said “yes”, and we became married
students
for two years during which Helen helped me attain successful
graduation. I have
worked as a professional civil engineer in the design, construction and
operation of municipal water supply and wastewater treatment
facilities. Helen
was an elementary school teacher. We have always been
Lutherans, and followed our first
pastor’s advice to “Find Spiritual Food” when looking for a new church
home.
Now, we are retired and have found spiritual food in Zion’s worship
services
and bible studies. I have served in various church offices and
ministries. The
longest ministry for me has been the church choir. Helen is researched
and
wrote a 100 year history of Zion Lutheran. We support the Capital
Campaign and
look at it as God’s work among us. Zion’s record of paying off debts
has been
amazing! Do you know that our Education Wing was paid off in three
years, and
that our fine tracker organ was paid off in two years? With about half
of the
estimated 3.8 million construction cost already pledged, we reasonably
expect
that this new debt will be paid off in a timely manner. Many thanks to
everyone
who has pledged to the Looking Up/Reaching Out campaign. If you have
not made a
pledge yet, please consider doing so for the last two years of the
capital
campaign. Blessings to all of you.
Capital
Campaign Testimonial I am Helen Reinkensmeyer.
Today we
sang, “Thank the Lord and sing his praise. Tell everyone
what he
has done….”, and I am here to do that. My parents
emigrated from
Greece so at home Greek was the first language, English was the second.
Gil and
I met as faculty members at Soo High. He was a 3rd generation
German Lutheran. We were married in 1953 in St. George’s Greek Orthodox
Church
in Sault Ste. Marie, where I was a member. It was a Greek wedding
but not
a big fat one! Gil said to me, “I am who I
am
because I am Lutheran.” Since I was seeking a new church, I started
confirmation classes at Emmanuel Lutheran (Wisconsin Synod) which Gil
attended.
Fearful of not receiving the proper doctrine, Gil attended each class
with me.
I soon realized that God was behind this change. As I was
learning the
liturgical Lutheran service, I was stunned that Martin Luther had
trimmed away
the tedious repetitions of the Orthodox service just as I would have. While in the Soo, we met Ed
and Mary
Ann Pavliak from Kalamazoo who told us about Zion Lutheran Church being
built. We now know the Holy Spirit was at work. Meanwhile, Dr.
Arthur
Manske of Zion sent us word that a one year vacancy was opening at Paw
Paw High
School. He had heard that Gil was very unhappy in the Soo where winter
never
ends. We packed up and moved.
Recalling
Pavliak’s description of Zion, it seemed right to join. Zion was
in the
midst of getting pledges for their new church. Pledging was nothing new
for
us. We both were raised knowing that giving to the church was
equivalent
to buying food for the table. It was not a matter of can we give or
should we
give, but how much should we pledge. With that decided, I then had
to
adjust to this modern church with no incense; bees wax candles, or
icons. Soon,
the stained glass window became for me the iconostasis of the Greek
Orthodox
Church. Years rolled along.
Conflicts arose
but we knew God would resolve them. The worship service changes,
especially the
Jazz service, caused us to do some deep searching. I missed my
Byzantine
and Gregorian chants. But should I expect others to accept this
music? Shouldn’t others be given an alternative service to
attend? Once
we were reassured the traditional service would remain, we calmed down.
It’s
been difficult to accept changes, but we have found peace by
understanding and
accepting the changes rather than fearing them. When the Capital Fund Drive
started,
Pastor Seeber invited us to be involved. I thought: we have
already done
that; let someone else do it; I am too old. But Gil said yes, and
we
did. At our first meeting, we were shocked how few people
we knew!
We then realized that fifty years ago we pledged to build Zion
for THE
FUTURE. Those we didn’t know are the FUTURE. Now we are in the midst of
another
challenge to renovate and expand for the NEXT GENERATION. We love Zion. With God’s
spirit, we pray for Zion to be able
give to others what it has given us. We have more to give today than
fifty
years ago. Yes, we are pledging and we are here to help the next
generation
carry on the special Zion love that God showers on us. Let’s do
it
together! |