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The 2004 Proposed Ministry Spending Plan for Mount Zion Lutheran
Church
First Iteration - 11/12/03
Statement of Vision: Inspired by the word and the Spirit of Jesus,
we use and refine our God given talents to nurture our church family
so we reach out and
nurture others.
Message from Pastor
TOTAL MINISTRY SPENDING PLAN FOR 2004 - $161,758
(This represents an overall 11% increase from last year's spending
projection)
OUTREACH MINISTRY (MISSION) $1,826 Benevolence
"
If anyone has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses
to help - how can God's love be in that person?" 1 John 3:17
Just as we teach our people to experience the joy of giving and growing in Christ,
so does Mount Zion experience blessing and joy through greater generosity. We
have started small but plan to increase our benevolence over the next few years.
Our benevolence to the synod helps us heed the call from Jesus: "Truly,
I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me" Matthew
5:40. Mount Zion reaches out to the "least of these" in Wisconsin and
around the world by feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and treating the sick.
Ministry Highlights: We again have given our time freely to support those in
need through the following: Salvation Army, Prayer Chain, Crossroads Banquet,
Giving Tree, Alley Shop, UNICEF trick or treaters, making and delivering quilts,
Grace Place and Faith House volunteers, and visitations with home bounds. The
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and the Churchwide expression of the ELCA combine
our offering with those of congregations and individuals throughout the church
to maximize the impact of every dollar contribution. The Salvation Army helped
over 2000 people in St. Croix County last year. Our bell ringing efforts helped
those 2000 people.
WORSHIP & MUSIC $1,100
"
For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John
4:24
"
I will sing for joy for what the Lord has done." Psalm 92:4b
The worship service is where the majority of our family members experience the
word and sacraments that equip them to live their baptismal faith in family life.
Mount Zion is dedicated to providing varied, nurturing worship services that
welcome the young and the old, the new Christian and the seasoned believer, the
traditionalist and the adventurist. God's grace is large enough to accommodate
all people and joyful enough to make worship a time of spirited celebration.
Ministry Highlights: Mount Zion provides worship services that meet the needs
of most people. There is a Junior Choir for the youth and a Senior Choir for
adult vocalists. Mount Zion enjoys a musical sermon twice a year from our Senior
Choir and a beautiful Christmas concert from the Junior Choir. After service
fellowship, nursery, church library and seasonal decorating are all ministries
of Worship and Music. There are opportunities for members to get involved with
services as ushers, altar guild and acolytes. Memorial gifts are also handled
through Worship and Music. Flowers are provided as a ministry during holidays
and special services are planned during the year. Each area of Worship and Music
provides an opportunity for members to serve their church through volunteer service.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - $1,400
"
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of
Christ." Romans 10:17
Christian education is the foundation for living a daily life as is emphasized
in our Vision Statement. Mount Zion has focused on educational opportunities
for people of all ages and all levels of spiritual awareness. Included in this
ministry category are: Sunday Church School, Parish Education, Confirmation,
Church Library, Family Ministry, Educational Publications.
Ministry Highlights: We began a new Sunday School Curriculum for ages 3 through
9th grade, in which the children rotate through 3 or 4 stations (How Great Thou
Art, Psalm Cinema, Prophet's Place, and Our Daily Bread) while reviewing the
same story or idea. A memory verse is always chosen for each set of lessons.
Kid's Church Puppet Ministry provides both an introduction and a wrap-up of each
set of lessons. We also provide the 5th graders with their bibles prior to their
starting first communion class. A Cradle Roll is kept, and when a child is born
information is sent to the parents. And of course, the 7th, 8th and 9th grade
students receive their confirmation education.
EVANGELISM/SOCIAL CONCERNS MINISTRIES - $1,252
"
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19
Our Statement of Vision specifically refers to reaching out to our community.
We invite the community to use our building for various functions, such as PAV,
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, AA, and Salvation Army. We work hard to make our worship
services and education/fellowship activities attractive to those who are not
yet one of our family while staying true to our values and theology. It is through
these ministries that people know about Mount Zion.
Ministry Highlights: Living Nativity, Food Shelves, Christmas and Easter Community
Puppet Shows, Crossroads banquets, Alley shop, Quilts.
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES - $500
"
If we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have
fellowship with each other." 1 John 1:7
Mount Zion is a place to grow in Christ. Much of our growth happens by our interaction
with other members of this family of faith. We call this fellowship. Sometimes
we are serious as we discuss and share life's more traumatic times. Sometimes
we are contemplative as we share life's mysteries and complexities. And sometimes
we are near giddy with laughter as we share life's more lighthearted and poignant
times. Adult Fellowship and Youth Ministry are included here.
Ministry Highlights: Both adults and youth have many fellowship opportunities
at Mount Zion. Soup and Sandwich dinners are held at church before the Lenten
services, while Sinner's Dinner Groups meet in small groups at member homes.
Three WELCA circles are very active, meeting monthly. The Men's Group and the
quilting group are opportunities to combine service work with fellowship. The
youth have enjoyed Open Basement every Wednesday night, along with a Mission
Trip to Siren, and middle school dances. The Senior High youth have a once a
month coffee shop called The Enlightenment Café - The Home of Hopes, Dreams
and Coffee Beans.
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES - $500
"
Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such
sacrifices are very pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16
Mount Zion's stewardship has gone through a rebirth with a major emphasis that
matches our Vision Statement objectives, teaching people to live Christ centered
lives.
Ministry Highlights: Our primary goal will be to establish a Mission Resource
Team of at least five people. Using our Vision Statement, "…we use
and refine our God given talents to nurture our church family…" as
a guide, this Team will look to accomplish three tasks. First, to utilize the
gifts our parishioners are willing to share through their Time and Talent Forms
and Gifts Assessments. Second, to emphasize Stewardship as a year-round practice
in our daily lives through once a month Sunday focus. And third, to establish
a Planned Gifts Program.
ADMINISTRATION - $15,900
"
If the master returns and finds the servant had done a good job, there will be
a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he
owns." Matthew 24:46-47
Like any well run organization, Mount Zion needs the equipment, supplies, telephone,
fax, email service, printing and postage, etc. to be effective in its ministry.
Administration also includes line of credit debt repayment.
Ministry Highlights: Member Support, newsletters, bulletins, communications in
general, repayment of line of credit which allowed our ministries to carry on.
CHURCH HOME - $36,600
"
Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation
of the Lord's Temple had been laid." Ezra 3:11b
Our parsonage is in need of repair in preparation for our new Pastor. Money to
pay utilities, lawn upkeep, insurance for Mount Zion and the parsonage, general
church repairs and maintenance are included.
Ministry Highlights: This is our Church home and Parsonage, which are extensions
of our members, for some a life saving station, a Christian gathering place for
young and old.
COMPENSATION PACKAGES - $102,680
"
Remember your leaders and honor those who first taught you the word of God. Think
of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do." Hebrews
13:7
We are grateful to the people who make the vision of Mount Zion come alive through
their talent and dedicated call to serve. The work is great and the labor, while
compensated, is still an act of love and sacrifice.
Ministry Highlights: Nurturing of the congregation, spiritual leadership, music
direction, youth direction and Sunday School program development, confirmation
preparation and delivery. |