Zion's History

Highlights from the first Sunday at the "new" church was celebrated on Sunday, November 12, 1989. 

Co-Pastor, John Folkerds led the Litany of Celebration:

Pastor: Dear Friends, let us rejoice in the holy use of this new house of God. To the glory of God the father, who has called us by grace; to the honor of his Son, who loved us and gave himself for us; to the praise of the Holy Spirit, who illumines and sanctifies us,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!
Pastor: For the worship of God in prayer and praise, for the preaching of the everlasting gospel, for the celebration of the holy sacraments,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!
Pastor: For the comfort of all who mourn, for strength to those who are tempted, for the light to those who seek the way,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!
Pastor: For the hallowing of family life, for teaching and guiding the young, for the discipling of the saints,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!
Pastor: For the conversion of sinners, for the promotion of righteousness, for the extension of the kingdom of Cod,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!
Pastor: In the unity of the faith, in the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood, in love and good will to all,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!
Pastor: In gratitude for the labors of all who love and serve this church, in loving remembrance of those who have finished their course, in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Congregation: we rejoice in this house!

The congregation prayed in unison: We now, the people of this church, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, grateful for our heritage, aware of the sacrifices of our mothers and fathers in the faith, and confessing that apart from us their work cannot be made complete, do commit ourselves anew to the worship and service of Almighty God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Co-Pastor Edward Blair gave the sermon: "Work and Worship"

From the Newsletter and Committee Minutes

• Hi-League had a camping outing at Lake Maria State Park near Monticello. The registration cost was $2 for two days.
• Young adults started a discussion group on Galations, which met at Meredith Olson's home, and went on a day trip to the Landscape Arboretum.
• The Christian Education committee was responsible for planning both Sunday School and Adult Education programs.
• Lee Ann Fadden led a grade 9-12 discussion group.
• Children with last names A-K attended Sunday School at 8:45, and those with last names L-Z attended at 10:00.
• The LCW (Lutheran Church Women) group meeting was focused on the International Year of the Child, and led by Ruth Casperson, Carol Krause, and Lois Sonstegard. Mary Lynn Leff led the singing.
• Circles met at Zion, and at Bea Specht, Irene Benson, and Inez Throson's homes. Naomi Circle was in search of a babysitter.
• The speaker at Golden Age Fellowship was Doris Crusell, a Zion member who had been a parish worker at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis. Effie Ilstrup was the lunch hostess.
• The Library Committee book discussion group was reading A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken (available for $2.50 at the time).
• The council discussed converting the church furnace from fuel oil to natural gas, and a proposal to use a new hymn for four consecutive Sundays each month.
• The Memorials and Wills committee decided to disconnect the meter from the Marysville security light to save $9.19 per month.
• Persian Office Products demonstrated a “plain paper copy machine” for $3200, including a generous discount.
• A bike rack was added to the Memorials and Wills list.
• Verna Walters was elected chairman of the newly formed Long Range Planning Committee.

From Bulletin Announcements

• Dairy Queen provided summer attendance rewards for Sunday school students. Students could receive a cone for attending worship three times in a month, or a blizzard for attending nine times over the summer.
• The Women of Zion Bible Study was “Everyday Spaces & Holy Places,” with Minda Squadroni & Sherilyn Burgdorf leading a tour of the holy places at Zion and discussion of the holy places we create in our own everyday spaces.
• Thursday evening Summer worship was held on the patio… there was a patio outside Fellowship Hall where the narthex is now.
• Grades 5-8 had a two-day “Reach for the Sky” VBS bike tour to Lake Rebecca. Chaperones were Chris Swaggert, Tammy Schmidt, Amy Fingalson, Paul Mager, Pete Jacobson, Joel Mackereth, Bill Greenwood, Milan Zumach, & Mark Olson.
• Ushers for August were Ancil Walden, Harley Pommier, Dennis Kjorlien, Ken Ross, Sam Ackmann, Rich Krause, Doug Schmidt, Dave Schmidt, Gary McFadden, Ed Peterson, Russ Peterson, Tim Klingelhoets, Dick Mattson, and the Darrell Bjur family.
• The youth department was preparing for the arrival of a new youth director, Sherri Larson, in September.

The Marysville Preservation Fund Committee would like to thank all those who have donated money for specifically for the replacement and repair of windows at Marysville:

• Clyde and Gwen Adicks
• Gary and Betty Anderson
• Willie and Joan Baurenschmitt
• Eileen Bodin
• Kevin and Tami Chilson
• Beverly Derrick
• Rodney and Carrie Davidson
• Tom and Jan Fitzpatrick
• Jacob Fitzpatrick
• Warren and Carol Krause
• Gert Lenz Family
• Terry and Sue Marsh
• Richard Mattson family
• Ron and Cheryl Philippi
• Wallace Peterson family
• Lloyd and Barb Rassat
• Col. MIlton Hengel

A huge thank you also goes out to Cottrell Builders for doing such a wonderful job on the windows The committee appreciates all you all for the help to preserve the history of our congregation and families.

Many more photos of Marysville can be found here.

• Zion‟s missionaries in Tanzania, Dennis and Meredith Murnyak who were working with integrated agriculture projects, including fish farming, returned to Minnesota for six months of study time.
• Judy & Jerry Hauer hosted the annual council picnic.
• Summer Sunday S‟cool met for 5 weeks during the summer. Children attended worship and then after the children‟s sermon they were excused for more stories and fun with volunteers.
• Candidates were interviewed for the new youth ministry assistant position.
• Zion youth joined ecumenical youth groups for weekly Tuesday afternoon service projects and Wednesday evening fellowship events.
• There was a three-day youth golf trip to Wisconsin.
• Zion began the call process for an associate pastor in preparation for Pastor Ed Blair‟s transition to a part-time position. Members of the call committee were Chris Swaggert, Merle Loken, Wanda Weber, Tom Polzine, Rolf Mohwinkel, Judy Hauer, and Kevin Bergquist.
• The council was informed that the synod was beginning to plan a second ELCA church in the Buffalo area.
• The council approved use of Zion‟s parking lot for “Pork Express”, a direct farmer-to-consumer provider of pork products.
• Plans were made to re-stripe both parking lots.

In April 2009, the Herald Journal local paper from the nearby Howard Lake area featured an article by Starrla Cray about Zion's historic Marysville church. 

Just a few miles north of Highway 12 on County Road 9 near Waverly stands a gorgeous brick building with a towering steeple, known as Marysville Swedesburg Lutheran Church.

“My great-grandfather, along with other members of the church, helped build it,” Marysville Township resident Dick Mattson said.

When Pastor John S. Nelson of Watertown organized the ELCA church in 1873, (www.zionbuffalo.org) parishioners used a log church until the brick building was constructed in 1891.

Read the complete article at herald-journal.com/archives

• Arrangements were made for Craig Peterson to replace the deteriorating steps at Marysville Church.
• Zion’s water lines were increased to provide the necessary pressure for the fire sprinkler system.
• The call committee was considering 7 names for the Associate Pastor position.
• The 40 Days of Purpose program was being planned for the following fall.
• Zion was supporting Aaron Folkerds as a second year Seminary student at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Aaron and his wife Mary were spending part of the year studying in Brazil.
• Zionaires visited the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.
• Five “Men of Zion” Bible study groups were meeting weekly and using the “Master Builders Bible for Men” study.
• Jen Chorost was planning a move from Washington to Minnesota to begin her position as Youth Director.
• Cindy Hermes and the Christian Education committee were planning the Lava Lava Island VBS.
• Walls were starting to go up for the Trinity Hall addition to the building.
• Pastor Becky Sogge received her Doctor of Ministry Degree.
• Girls in grades 7-12 attended a “Girls of Grace” conference in St Paul.
• Congregational officers were Jill Davis, Judy Nordschow, Tom Moline, and Paul Freer.

The first cement was poured for the foundation of Zion's current building on February 6, 1989. During construction, the church office was in a mobile home, and worship services were held in the Junior High (now Discovery) auditorium.

A member wrote for the February 27 update on the "Building to Serve" capital campaign:

"The new church can provide many conveniences that our old church could not. Our church won¡¯t make visitors stand through their first service with us, instead it will have enough empty seats waiting to be filled with visitors who may eventually become permanent members of our congregation. Our future church will be equipped with new handicap facilities. These modern facilities will make our church easy access for those who need it. By building this church we are investing in our future: our Sunday school classes, choirs and youth groups will all provide our destined church leaders with enough room to grow."

• A committee was formed to hire a Youth-Education Director. Members of the committee were Amy Mohwinkel, Kristi Hagen, Chris Swaggert, LeeAnn Fadden, Jan Skallerud, and the pastors.
• A new electric typewriter, secretarial desk, and typewriter stand were added to the Memorial list.
• Following the resignation of Marlene Wolff as head organist, Monica Weekes became the head organist and Zion was seeking applications for and associate organist to play two Sundays per month.
• Bennet Olson pledged to donate and install a nursery speaker.
• The annual church budget was $109,533.
• The chair of the church council was Keith Leiseth, and newly elected council members were Gary Leff, Oscar Skibenes, Kay Zebarth, and Nancy Woodford.
• Former Zion pastor, K. Alvar Persson, had been elected Mayor of Grove City in November.
• Twelve senior high youth and two chaperons attended the Rochester Youth Convention.

• Head Ushers were Sam Ackmann, Richard Krause, Del Haag, Milan Zumach, and John & Linda Sherman.
• The Long Range Facility Planning Committee met with Rev. Fred Marks from the LCA Division for Mission in North America.
• The Youth put on a Variety Show.
• Z.I.P Adult Education began a four-week series on wholistic health.
• The fall stewardship emphasis, “Proclaim Through Giving”, included every member visits.
• Martin Luther’s 500th birthday was celebrated with a potluck and programs for all ages.
• The 8th grade confirmation retreat was held at Camp Koinania near Annandale, and the theme was drug awareness.
• Co-Chairs of Harvest of Hands were Gerrie Huston and Judy Jacobson. Demonstrations included lefse making, krumkaka making, calligraphy, and hardanger.
• Elvera Peterson spoke at LCW, and the theme was “Reformation Celebration”. Special music was provided by Jackie Kuhns and Monica Weekes.
• Edith Waldal and Esther Peterson hosted Golden Age Fellowship, and the theme was Thanksgiving.
• A three-evening series of town meetings at the Senior High focused on chemical abuse by youth, and included a national broadcast with Nancy Reagan.