Hilltop Headlines
May 1, 2022
Serving this Week
8am:
Elders: Roy Capdeville, Dave Rowland
Greeter: Dianne Buchhorn
Audio: Chad Mathews
Presentation: Cody Stephens
10:45am:
Elders: Al Barton, John Buser
Greeters/Ushers: Carmen Domel, Candy Bleeke, Heather Ullmann
Parking Lot/Golf Cart: Donnie Domel
Hilltop Cafe':Sona Holmstrom
Connections Coordinator: Jenny Kinard
Presentation: Kathryn Klein
Camera: Chad Winkler
A Return of Our Blessings
Offerings/Electronic Giving: Home $5,060; General $9,409.83; Cemetery Fund $15; Learning Legacy Endowment $1,105; Pam Hight Scholarship $1,060; Zion Braille $10; School Expansion $1,000; Annual Fund $375; CHS Schol. $100; Conc. Univ. Schol. $50; Major Repairs $250; Capital Campaign $2,130; Sunday Attendance: 8am - 128; 10:45am - 291.
10% of General Funds go to the following organizations: TX Dist LCMS, The Caring Place, CHS Round Rock, LINC Austin, The Locker, Upbring, Faith in Action and Concordia University: $1,045.54
Pastor Davenport's Retirement Celebration
Pastor John Davenport’s retirement celebration is Sunday, May 1. We look forward to him preaching during the worship services at 8:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary and 10:45 a.m. in the Worship Center. We thank God for Pastor Davenport’s ministry.
Senior Pastor Call Committee Status Update
The period for receiving congregational nominations for the position of Senior Pastor closed on Sunday, April 3, 2022. The committee received the names of thirty-seven (37) individual nominees from the congregation. While some pastors were nominated by multiple individuals, the total number of unique nominees was thirty-seven (37).
The list of nominees has been forwarded to the Texas District Office of the LCMS. The District Office will provide biographical information for each nominee on the list. They will also provide names and information for any additional nominees that they believe are qualified and fit the job description which they have been provided. Due to the large number of nominees the process of compiling and supplying the information back to the Senior Pastor Call Committee will take some time.
Once the information has been returned to the Senior Pastor Call Committee the process of determining each candidate’s willingness to be considered for a Divine Call will begin.
As it is apparent that the call process will not be complete prior to the impending retirement of Pastor Davenport the Call Committee has also been involved in the process of seeking a Vacancy Pastor to serve until the call process can be completed. A request was made to the Texas District Office for a list of potential vacancy pastors. The District Office has provided a list of candidates which the Call Committee and Board of Elders are in the process of evaluating.
Additional updates will be provided as the process moves forward. The Call Committee solicits the prayerful support of the congregation as we continue through this critical process.
The full list of congregational nominees is as follows:
Nominee: Rev. Timothy Ahlman
Currently Serving: Christ Greefield, Gilbert, Arizona
Nominee: Rev. Keith Aschenbeck
Currently Serving: Grace Lutheran, Victoria, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Vic Belton
Last Served: Concordia Lutheran, Brownsville, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Dr. Jon Braunersreuther
Currently Serving: LCMS Texas District MMC, Austin, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Steve Carretto
Currently Serving: Boca Raton, Florida
Nominee: Rev. Jeffrey Cloeter
Currently Serving: Christ Memorial, St. Louis, Missouri
Nominee: Tige Culbertson
Currently Serving: St. Luke, Oviedo, Florida
Nominee: Rev. Peter DeMik
Currently Serving: Our Savior Lutheran, Laurel, Maryland
Nominee: Rev. John Glover
Currently Serving: First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, Florida
Nominee: Rev. Lonnie Gonzales
Currently Serving: LINC Houston, Houston, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Micah Greiner
Currently Serving: St. Peter, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Nominee: Rev. David Haara
Currently Serving: Family of Christ, Tampa, Florida
Nominee: Rev. Michael Hafer
Currently Serving: Holy Cross, College Station, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Luke Hennings
Currently Serving: St. Luke, Mesa, Arizona
Nominee: Rev. Kevin Hintze
Currently Serving: Zion Lutheran, Walburg, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Gene Johnson
Currently Serving: Trinity Klein, Spring, Texas
Nominee: Dr. Rev. Brian L. Katchelmeier
Currently Serving: Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Nominee: Rev. Zach McIntosh
Currently Serving: Concordia, San Antonio, Texas
Rev. Jonathan Meyer
Currently Serving: Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley, Victoria, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Richard Mittwede
Currently Serving: University Lutheran, Austin, Texas
Nominee: Rev. David C. Moerbe
Currently Serving: Good Shepherd, Gardendale, Alabama
Nominee: Rev. James Mueller
Currently Serving: Messiah Lutheran, St. Charles, Missouri
Nominee: Rev. Pete Mueller
Currently Serving: Acts Church, Lakeway, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Matthew Peeples
Currently Serving: Bethlehem, Ridgewood, New Jersey
Nominee: Rev. Lane Reuter
Currently Serving: Our Savior, Nashville, Tennessee
Nominee: Rev. Dominic Rivken
Currently Serving: Pacific Southwest District
Nominee: Rev. Mark Schaefer
Currently Serving: Water Edge, Frisco, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
Currently Serving: Ex. Dir. Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, Washington DC
Nominee: Rev. Chris Singer
Currently Serving: Trinity Klein, Spring, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Keith Speaks
Currently Serving: Hales Corners Lutheran, Hales Corners, Wisconsin
Nominee: Rev. Robert Sundquist
Currently Serving: Faith Community, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nominee: Rev. Tardelli Voss
Currently Serving: Igreja Luterana Cristo Redentor, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Nominee: Rev. Daniel Weber
Currently Serving: St. Luke’s, Federal Way, Washington
Nominee: Rev. Nathan Wendorf
Currently Serving: St. Paul, Harlingen, Texas
Nominee: Rev. Jay Winters
Currently Serving: University Lutheran, Tallahassee, Florida
Nominee: Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller
Currently Serving: St. Paul Lutheran, Austin, Texas
Nominee: Rev. John Zahrte
Currently Serving: Royal Redeemer, North Royalton, Ohio
Blood Drive
***Update***
We have 25 of the 26 spots already filled! Wow! Thank you for your awesome response! We Are Blood was able to adjust the times a bit to make room for some appointments, so our new goal is 33. Will you be one of the 8 people to help us fill up the appointment slots? Thank you for giving the gift of life! We'll see you on May 15th!
Will you be one of the 26 people that helps Zion's Sr. High Youth reach their goal of finding 26 blood donors to help save 78 lives? Why give blood? Because it matters. It matters to people in our own Zion Family, and it matters to people in our Central Texas Community. Giving blood is giving the gift of life - 1 blood donation can save up to 3 lives. If you don’t believe giving blood matters, ask Keith. Keith Frank, Zion member, father to Avery & Brandon, and husband to Jane, was diagnosed this past October with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Since October he has gone through numerous rounds of chemo and battled against various infections and complications. He has been given over 55 transfusions since his diagnosis: 30+ units of blood and 25+ units of platelets. These transfusions are vital in helping him fight cancer. Keith is just one example of several Zion members that are daily fighting cancer and need our donations of blood. There is a critical shortage of blood and blood products across our country, and we can help solve this problem. Zion’s Sr. High Youth are accepting the challenge to find 26 blood donors to fill up the donation schedule of the Bloodmobile which will be on Zion’s campus on Sunday, May 15th from 9am-1pm. Will you be one of the 26 that makes a difference in the lives of Keith and many others in our Zion family and community? Sign up today: https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/?location=61210&date=05/15/2022&reschedule=
Nametags!
New website will be ready to launch next week!
We designed it with you in mind, so please let us know what you think! Our hope is that it is more user-friendly and easy to navigate. A huge thank you to our partners with Ekklesia360, and Samantha Amidon and Cody Stephens for photos and video.
Communion Assistants Needed
Connection Hour classes!
A new session of Connection hour classes began March 20. See the flyer below for a list of the new classes being offered! Classes meet Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30am and there are classes for Kids, Jr. High youth, Sr. High youth and Adults.
Message From the Principal
Senior Pastor John Davenport
With gratitude and some sadness – we say farewell to Pastor Davenport – who has served at Zion for over 26 years! All of us wish him and Lynn well on their retirement. What incredible support he has given for our day school and for reaching out to the community with the love of Jesus. Pastor John – we love you and will miss you!
Baptisms
This week has been filled with incredible joy, as two Zion families celebrated baptisms this past Sunday, and five more students on at chapel on Wednesday. What a wonderful witness to all our families and children, as God continues to work in our school and beyond.
Progress on New Teachers for Next Year
The Call Committee has been interviewing candidates every week now for three weeks. Although there could still be another couple of weeks to go, the team is confident that God will lead us to the teachers to serve next year for additional 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades. Remember we will be also adding time to our Spanish, physical education, computer, middle school, and academic success program/areas of service – as our school continues to grow. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Outdoor Education
What an incredible time our 6th and 7th grade students had on this three-day excursion. All the subjects we taught were done so in God’s creation. Examples include plant studies, art, fishing, canoeing, wall climbing, challenge courses, tree-branch coat racks, faith classes, campfire devotions, owl calling, journaling, nature hike, and so much more! The entire experience also brought us much closer as students and staff. We are so thankful to all the parents who came to assist! And thanks to Mrs. Winkelman for leading this trip!
Washington, D.C.
Our 8th graders were in Washington the same week as our 6th/7th graders were at Outdoor Education. As I debriefed with them this morning, there was much excitement about the experience, and it was noted that it was a trip they will always remember. Again, we thank the parents who accompanied the students, and to Miss Sauls for leading the trip!
Last Call for Teacher Referrals
To refer a teacher to the Call Committee, please have them send a cover letter and resume c/o Thomas Wrege, Principal. We are doing a nationwide search for current teachers in other Lutheran schools and have also been in contact with the Concordia University System to look at new graduates.
New Web Site – Get Ready!!
We are ALMOST there. Any day now…
Stretch and Strength Fitness Class
Come check out this new class being offered at Zion - bring a mat or towel, a water bottle and a smile. Tuesdays 9-9:45am in the Worship Center. All ages, stages and genders welcome! Contact betzi@keltondeck.com if you have any questions.
Camp Zion- Summer 2022 - Sign Up Now!
CAMP ZION 2022 – We are so excited for another Summer on the Hilltop.
If you have a child/children ages 4 to 12, they are eligible to participate.
June 6-10…MISSION POSSIBLE
June 13-17…ANIMAL KINGDOM
June 20 – 24…TREASURE HUNTERS
June 27 – No Camp This Week!
July 5 – 8…STARS & STRIPES FOREVER!
July 11 – 15…CASTAWAY CHRISTMAS
July 18 – 22…SUMMER REWIND
Each week is filled with arts & crafts, teambuilding, Lego challenges,
cooking activities, field trips & Kona Ice. Registration begins March 1st.
HOURS & RATES
7 am – 3 pm ($160/week)
7 am – 6 pm ($210/week)
Drop-Ins ($55.00/day)
Any questions, contact Director Rhonda Schwertner at
rhonda.schwertner@zionwalburg.org
Or… call at 512.639.9449
Camp Zion - Volunteers/Staff Needed!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AT CAMP ZION … We are looking for kid-friendly individuals who desire to make an impact by volunteering their time this summer. If you love to hang out and inspire young children, and share your faith, we have an exciting opportunity for you! If cooking hot dogs on a grill is your talent, we would love to have you for our Cook-Out week. Summer camp is a total of six weeks (SESSION 1 is June 6 – 24 & SESSION 2 is July 5 – 22). All applicants must pass a background check. For more information, please contact Rhonda Schwertner @ Rhonda.schwertner@zionwalburg.org
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY AT CAMP ZION: We are looking for mature, responsible, kid-friendly individuals to work as counselors at camp this summer. If you love to share your faith while leading and inspiring young children, we have an exciting opportunity for you! Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must pass a background check. Summer Camp 2022 is a total of six weeks (SESSION 1 is June 6 – 24 & SESSION 2 is July 5 – 22). To apply please contact Rhonda Schwertner @ Rhonda.schwertner@zionwalburg.org
Community Food Drive
As the Zion Mission Board continues to reach out to our local communities who may be unable to satisfy their own nutritional needs, Zion Church families have the opportunity to donate NON-PERISHABLE food items Sunday, April 24 through Sunday, May 15. All items collected will then be taken to the FM 971 (Country Glen) mobile home community for distribution. If you are interested in helping the Mission Board with the distribution, please contact Patty Loutherback at 512-695-6140. Look for a collection table in the Church Narthex.
Greeting Cards
Mother’s Day, Graduation, Congratulations and other greeting cards are available at the Card Ministry cabinet. Cards are $0.50 or $6.00 for a box. Thank you from Zion LWML Evening Circle.
Beattyville, KY Mission Trip
Space is still available to attend the Beattyville, KY mission 7/23-30, 2022. Cost is $250 plus transportation. A portion of the cost is covered by Zion through the application process. 18 and older without a parent; high school age with a parent. Please contact Jennifer Jordan at 512-635-1006. Registration is due by May 1st.
Nursery Help Needed
Jr High Summer Mission Trip
Thank You
Thanks to the many Zion members and friends who have responded to various disaster strikes in the past two months. You make a difference by being present, donating items or through financial support. Your continued support is requested, especially in prayer.
To God be the Glory!
Thanks for the Donations
Zion Faith Circle Women of Mission wishes to thank everyone who generously supported our spring drive for Annunciation Maternity Home in Georgetown. $195, several boxes and packages of diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, and snuggly sleep sacks were delivered with grateful reception.
The Lutheran Hour
Does Your Morning Coffee Need a Friend?
Daily Devotions from LHM
Read or listen online! lhm.org/dailydevotions
Get the App! lhm.org/apps
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or iHeartRadio! lhm.org/podcasts
Receive devotions by e-mail. 3 easy ways to sign up:
1. subscribe online at lhm.org/dailydevotions
2. Call 800-876-9880
3. Mail your information to LHM, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141
Sermon Schedule
May 1
"Three C's of Christian Witness"
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michaael Zeigler
Competence, Conversation, and Caring - the three C's of Christian witness. (Daniel 3:28)
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.
The Caring Place
The Free Choice Food Pantry returns! This method of allowing neighbors to shop for the specific things they will utilize began on Monday, April 4th. Food Programs and Facilities Director David Earl shares, “We are excited to get back to a free choice model in our Food Pantry. This means our neighbors can select items they know their families will enjoy. If you find money tight right now due to increased gas or grocery costs, then we encourage you to visit us. That’s what The Caring Place Food Pantry is here for. ”
The Caring Place is currrently hiriing addtional staff and recruiting new voluteeers. For more information call 512-943-0700 or visit the websote caringplacetx.org.
Donations are now being accepted on Saturday for 12 PM to 4 PM!
The Shops at The Caring Place Thrift Store at 2000 Railroad Avenue: Mon-Sat, 10 AM - 4 PM.
Second Helping Thrift Store at 3700 Williams Drive: Tues-Sat, 10 AM - 4 PM.
Donations drive through at 2000 Railroad Avenue: Mon-Saturday, 12 PM - 4 PM, for a list on what The Caring Place accepts, visit caringplacetx.org/donatemystuff.
Furniture Pick Up: Wed, Thurs, Fri, 9 AM - 11 AM, appointments are made by calling 512-943-0711 and leaving a message.
Programs & Services at 2001 Railroad Avenue: Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM. Financial Assistance for those in The Caring Place service area includes rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, emergency dental and prescription assistance with verifiable proof of crisis. Clothing vouchers are not available at this time. Financial assistance will be handled remotely. Please call 512-943-0700 and follow the prompts for the basic needs assistance you are requesting. Please do not arrive at The Caring Place office unless instructed by staff.
Food Pantry is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. They are closed on Wednesday. For more information on food programs, go to caringplacetx.org/getfood.
Thank You Zion Members
Pastors: John M. Davenport and Kevin J.Hintze
Director of Worship and Music: Marc Profant
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