Hilltop Headlines
December 18, 2022
Serving this Week
8am:
Organist: Pam Kalmbach
Elders: Al Barton, Martin Warnasch
Greeter: Kathy Greer
Audio: Tom Carleton
Tech Director: Cody Stephens
10:45am:
Elders: Mark Breckenridge, Tom Krueger
Greeters/Ushers: Peggy Lemanski, Heather Ullmann
Parking Lot/Golf Cart: Mike Linebrink
Hilltop Cafe': Stephanie Zinsmeyer
Connections Coordinator: Jenny Kinard
Presentation: Chad Winkler
Camera: Preston Fischer
A Return of Our Blessings
Offerings/Electronic Giving:
Home $23,406.63; General $7,944.30; Music Fund $823; Annual Fund $300; Pam Hight Scholarship $2,425; Landscape Improvement $200; Learning Legacy Endowment $100,380; Missions $155; Braille $5; Major Repairs $10,000; Capital Campaign $10,200; Sunday Attendance: 8am - 139; 10:45am - 281.
10% of General Funds go to the following organizations: TX Dist LCMS, The Caring Place, CHS Round Rock, Water Mission, The Locker, Camp Lone Star, Driving Hope of Texas, Brookwood in Georgetown and Concordia University: $882.70
New Years Eve Worship and Social
Plan to join us on the Hilltop on Saturday, Dec. 31 for a brief communion service in the Sanctuary followed by a potluck social in the Lobby. The event will start a 4 PM in the Sanctuary. Pastor Dave will lead us in a short devotion followed by communion. Pam Kalmbach will be our organist for several hymns of praise. The social time after communion will be a great way to greet each other and reflect on 2022 and maybe even play a few games. Everything will be done before sunset so folks can get home safely.
Please bring food for the potluck according to LAST name:
A-G – Main dish
H-R – Salad/Side dish
S-Z – Dessert
Let's end 2022 by worshiping and celebrating with our family and friends!
NOTE: There will be only 1 service on Sunday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) at 9:30 AM in the Worship Center.
From Your Pastors
Advent is generally a busy time for people with decorating, shopping, parties and holiday travel. So much of the focus in December is on “preparing” for the holidays. And it seems by the time you get to Christmas most people are exhausted and looking forward to vacationing with family and friends. The message of Advent is simple – prepare! It is about setting aside all the potential distractions and commercialism of the holidays and reflect on the incredible good news of God’s love and mercy for each of us through Jesus. Our message series this Sunday continues the theme of “prepare” and will examine the word “proclaim” through the ministry of John the Baptist. It is a great segue into our Christmas services this year at Zion:
Christmas Eve: Saturday, Dec. 24
4 PM – Worship Center
6 PM – Sanctuary
Christmas Day: Sunday, Dec. 25
9:30 AM – Sanctuary with communion
New Year's Eve: Saturday, Dec. 31
4 PM – Sanctuary with communion and social/potluck afterwards in the Lobby
New Year's Day: Sunday, Jan. 1
9:30 AM – Worship Center
We hope you can join us for Christmas this year. Our worship schedule for December is available below in the Hilltop Headlines or printed copies are in the lobby and narthex. This will also be the last Sunday for our Connections Hour “this year.” Connections Hour will resume Sunday, Jan. 8 with new adult Bible classes and activities for our youth.
We are preparing to welcome Pastor McIntosh and his family (Melody, Hayden & Hope) to Zion the middle of next month. Installation for our new senior pastor will be held Sunday, Jan. 22, at 4 PM in the Worship Center followed by a reception and meal in the gym. More details will be shared in the coming weeks as plans for the installation are finalized. Pastor Zach’s last Sunday at Concordia San Antonio will be Jan. 8.
Even during the busy holidays, please keep your pastors informed on how we can serve you and your family. Call (512.863.3065) or email the church office (church@zionwalburg.org) with any news to share. And if you need to miss a Sunday, you can always view the messages and worship services archived on our website: www.zionwalburg.org. Hope to see you this Christmas at Zion!
THE LESSONS THIS SUNDAY – Isaiah 40.1-5; 1 Corinthians 15.1-6; Luke 3.1-18
Pastor Kevin & Pastor Dave
The Zion Family Tree
Member Directory Portraits
On December 11th and 18th during the time between early and late service, a setup for family portraits will be available in the Narthex for members to get photos taken for the updated church directory. There will be an additional opportunity in January, date to be determined. Please stop by for a couple of minutes and bring your best smile!
The Star of Bethlehem
We have seen His star in the east and we have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2
Scholars debate whether the Star of Bethlehem is a legend created by the early church or a miracle that marked the advent of Christ.
Is it possible that the star was a real, astronomical event?
This documentary video explores the exciting truth of scripture and reveals the evidence for God's existence as seen in the stars above. Rick Larson walks us through Biblical and historic clues revealing this celestial event. Discover the secret of the star.
Join us on Sunday, December 18 at 4pm in the Worship Center to watch this amazing video that unlocks the mystery of the star. Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks.
A Message From the Principal
Values Proposition and Tuition Schedule for 2023-2024
Please see the annual Values Proposition to share, and the Tuition and Fee rates for the 2023 - 2024 school year (in the buttons below). We are already touring for next year, and our plans to expand are in discussion. We also practice continuous enrollment, which means you don't need to do anything to continue to be part of our Zion family. Instructions for withdrawals and for new applications will be shared soon after we come back from Christmas break.
Let us know if you have questions. We are all here to humbly serve you.
Thomas W. Wrege, Principal
Your Board of Christian Education
The Zion Lutheran Church Council
Nomination for Mr. Wrege
The Lutheran Education Association has announced that Principal Wrege has been nominated for the honor of Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator for all Lutheran schools for 2023. There is an exhaustive process that now takes place – to ensure the proper narratives, data, and recommendations are put forth. Thank you all for your prayers for this opportunity for our principal.
An Opportunity for our Teachers and Support Staff from Thrivent
Thrivent Action Teams have been a mainstay for those who are members of this organization (Thrivent Financial). For those who are members, you have two opportunities per year to give out $250 gift cards and to participate in a short service project connected with giving them away. As we get close to Christmas, Principal Wrege is opening this up to all Thrivent members, who own a financial product through this Fortune 500 company. We now have a list of staff members who would love and appreciate receiving a gift card to purchase supplies or important items in their vocation at Zion. If you are eligible to sponsor a Thrivent Action Team, please contact Mr. Wrege at thomas.wrege@zionwalburg.org and he will provide you the name of a staff member.
The template on how to properly fill out the application is in the button below. He will also make himself available to assist in any way, to sponsor a Zion staff member. Thank you!
A blessed Advent to each of you! We excitedly await the celebration of the birth of our Savior on Christmas Day. Amidst all the uncertainties, we have HOPE!
Sausage for Sale
Enjoy Zion’s famous homemade sausage for the holidays! We are selling leftover smoked (raw) sausage in 5 lb (frozen) bags for $35 each. We accept cash or check. Contact the Church Office 512-863-3065.
Greeting Cards Available
Christmas cards are on display at the Card Ministry Cabinet. Also available are Birthday, Friendship, Sympathy, Miss You and many other cards located by the Church Nursery. Boxed cards are $6.00, individual cards are $0.50. Thank you for supporting Zion Evening Circle Lutheran Women’s Missionary League LWML.
Landscape Improvement Fund
The Board of Trustees are beginning the process to provide new landscaping within the asphalt driveways surrounding the Sanctuary/Worship Center (new building) to the South parking lot. The costs are estimated to be around $180,000. Therefore, the Landscape Improvement Fund will be created as a new church dedicated account to help fund these efforts. Please prayerfully consider donating to the Landscape Improvement Fund to help cover these costs to beautify Zion’s campus.
The Lutheran Hour
In January, our Gospel Adventures program will usher elementary students to India...in time for Lutheran Schools Week through "Celebrate India." This multimedia encounter will introduce kids to India's history and culture - and our Gospel outreach ther - through a blend of sight, sound, and firsthand involvement. Learn more and register for free at GospelAdventure.org.
And speaking of international operations, LHM is ready to launch our brand-new international internship program and the establishment of new outreach hubs in 4 regions of the world. This approach will enable us to accelerate our momentum and help us reach more people with the Gospel.
In short, when you give to LHM ministries, you help proclaim "Christ the Savior is Born" through broadcasts ... response teams ... Bible based resources ... live events ... and much more. This important work occurs in more than 60 countries every day. In some places, people will hear about Jesus for the very first time. Working with indigenous staff and volunteers, our outreach model is unique and cost-effective. It also allows us to operate in nations closed to foreign missionaries. Regardless of political oppression or natural disasters, our staff remains planted, offering hope when their people are most vulnerable. Together, we are "Bringing Christ to the Nations and the Nations to the Church".
Sermon schedule
Dec. 18
"Gestures of Hope"
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler
Dr. Zeigler shows how even the smallest acts of kindness can go a long way, by God's grace. (Isaiah 7:14)
You can listen to The Lutheran Hour on KLBJ on Sunday mornings at 7 a.m. or online at lutheranhour.org, through a mobile app, and on new media platforms like Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Sirius XM satellite radio.
Issues, Etc.
Pastors: Kevin Hintze and David Kluth
Principal: Thomas Wrege
Church Office Hours: 8-4:00 Monday-Friday
Church Phone: 512-863-3065
School Phone: 512-863-5345 Fax 512-686-5807
6001 FM 1105, Georgetown, TX 7862