Would you like to receive weekly e-mail updates from Mount Zion?  Click here to add your name to our Weekly Update list.

Feb. 21, 2010

01/10 

   

We were blessed with a bluebird day filled with good conversation, delicious food, and great snow!

Help out the victims of the Haiti Earthquake

WELS Committee on Relief is in the process of releasing a $25,000 grant to an international relief agency to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti this week. The committee will also be meeting Sat., Jan. 16, to discuss how to allocate incoming donations for relief efforts. Mr. Mark Vance, director of operations, says the committee will make a firm decision after members have had a chance to fully communicate with WELS contacts in neighboring Dominican Republic.

Among the possibilities are also releasing the incoming dollars to international relief agencies, or to U.S. government relief efforts or potential relief efforts undertaken by WELS contacts in the region. WELS has no official presence in Haiti, but Rev. Philip Strackbein, a member of the Latin American Traveling Theological Educators team, is based in Dominican Republic.

Strackbein reports that he felt the earthquake, but there were no injuries or damage to any structures in and around Santiago where he is based. He says about 10 of his students have relatives in Haiti; it's not yet known how those relatives fared. Strackbein is asking for prayers for their safety. You can read his full account on the WELS blogs.

Donations to the earthquake relief effort can be made online. Checks can be made out to WELS Committee on Relief. Designate Haiti earthquake and mail to:

WELS Committee on Relief
2929 N Mayfair Road
Milwaukee, WI 53222-4398

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is matching donations from its members to WELS Committee on Relief and other Lutheran relief agencies one dollar for every two dollars donated—up to $1 million. For details, go to www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti or call 800-236-3736 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday. When prompted, please say “directory” then enter extension 8

Mount Zion's annual Christmas Eve Candlelight service was held to a full house and was a great celebration of Christ's birth.

The children in the congregation recited bible passages.

The older kids narrated the story of Christ's birth.

The choir performed many great Christmas songs.

The musicians in the congregation provided accompaniment to many great Christmas hymns.

The congregation sings Silent Night to candle light.

The Mount Zion Womens group held it's annual Christmas Party on Saturday December 12, 2009.  Lynn Bernthal was gracious enough to host this event at her home.

Lynn went all out and had a great brunch with lots of goodies.

Good fellowship.

Gift exchange was a lot of fun! Some are great gifts, some are re-gifts, and then some are just plain white elephants gifts.

Does anyone want used hand cream and a re-gifted Christmas decoration????? How about the hand made gifts that were received by some???

The womens group made goodie bags for the Christmas Eve service.  We didn't eat any of the candy....we swear!

These goodie bags are handed out to all of the kids so we can to add to the hyperactivitiy and excitement they already have with being Christmas Eve.

Missoula Parade Of Lights
The parade of lights was a great success!  What a great way for us to share our faith with our Missoula neighbors.  Thanks to everyone that helped out!  

The float was built during the week and decorated by members on Saturday.  We assembled in front of the missoulian building at 5:30 and drove the float down Higgins Ave, through downtown Missoula ending at the XXX's in front of the train station.  Mount Zion also sets up a table at the end of the parade route and hands out Hot Chocolate and Cookies that are always very much appreciated.   This year we handed out 1000 small keychain flashlights that had Mount Zion's logo, our website and "Jesus Is The Light Of The World" printed on them....they were a hit with everyone!


Our float in the snowstorm that started as we were trying to get ready.


Riding the float down the parade route is alway alot of fun for the kids!


We handed out 1000 of these keychain flashlights.  They were a hit with the croud!

God's grace welcomes you, no matter who you are or where you are from-- and so do we. We are a family of believers who believe that Jesus Christ is the true Savior of all people. By his perfect life, innocent death, and triumphant resurrection, he saved all lost sinners without our help.

Looking for meaning or a deeper purpose to life? Through the Gospel, Jesus Christ makes you a special person, right with God and ready for life. Come join us to hear more about this wonderful message and to grow in your hope!