ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
Friday, July 17, 2020
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Murder isn’t just killing. It’s hurting someone by any means. Jesus takes the Fifth Commandment and shows us how it teaches us to love our neighbor by short-circuiting our anger. Even if we never harm a person physically, anger against someone can grow and fester in our hearts. Jesus calls us out on that. Ironically, for our salvation, Jesus is given over to be crucified in place of a murderer (Remember Barabbas?). “A murderer they save, the Prince of Life they slay.” Jesus came, not to be angry at us, and not to throw God’s anger at us. He came to take our anger against God and all the rest of our sins on Himself. He came to pay the last penny of our sin debt to God. Now, it’s all clear. God can never be angry at you anymore because of what Jesus has done for you. That’s Good News for us and Good News for our neighbor! That’s what we’ll hear this week as we celebrate the Fifth Sunday after Trinity.
Mike Sena’s father, Don, fell asleep this past week. So also did Vern Block. Please keep Cindy Block and the Senas in your prayers as they mourn and look to the hope of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Pretty much the same news as last week. Here are the highlights:
Worship in Church
By now everyone should have seen our detailed guidelines for how our worship services will be conducted as we gather together again. Here are the highlights:
WORSHIP TIMES:
Sundays at 7:45 AM and 10:30 AM
Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.
All of these will be the same service. (Readings, hymns, etc.)
STREAMING:
We will continue to stream and record one of our Sunday services (probably Early for now). These are available to watch live and recorded here:
We stream live on our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.
Our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.
The simplest way to watch online (not live) is probably through our church’s website HERE.
AT CHURCH:
Key points to remember when you come for worship:
Wear your MASK once you are in the building. Masks WILL be available if you forget to wear one.
Maintain PHYSICAL DISTANCING; please do not gather in the Narthex. (If you want to visit with others, you can do so outside or in the gym between services).
CHECK IN with the Usher or Elder before the Service. We will NOT be using pew cards but will be taking attendance with a checklist.
Please DO NOT SIT IN PEWS MARKED WITH BLUE TAPE. We will be using every third pew. If a pew has a piece of blue tape on the end, do NOT use that pew. BLUE TAPE = DON’T SIT THERE.
For DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Communicants will stand in line near the front pew, not at the rail. If you need to sit in the front pew for the Distribution, you may do so.
The Elder will follow the Host with the tray of Individual Cups and Pastor will follow with the Chalice. (This is the reverse of how we have been doing it; it will more easily indicate to pastor who desires to receive the Chalice).
Please PLACE YOUR BULLETIN IN THE RECYCLING BIN in the narthex unless you wish to take it home. Please do NOT stack it with the unused bulletins.
The OFFERING PLATE will be on the table in the Narthex. You may place your offering there before or after the service.
Please DO NOT LEAVE MASKS OR TRASH IN THE PEWS.
Also, two gentle reminders:
It is OK to stay home if you feel you are not ready to venture out just yet.
If you have any SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS, please love your neighbor by staying home until you are symptom free and recovered.
Please reach out to me or your Elder if you have any questions about how the service will go.
Bible Studies
Bible Studies will meet in person beginning Sunday, July 5.
Sundays, 9:15 am in the gym. Please bring your own snacks and coffee as refreshments will not be provided for the time being.
Tuesdays, 10:30 am in the Narthex.
Special Voters Meeting
There is a Special Voters Meeting scheduled for Sunday, July 26 at 9:30 am (between services). The main item is to approve final funds for the Parking Lot. We need 35 members for a quorum for a Special Meeting so please plan to attend!
Color A Stained Glass Window
Our church stained glass windows are turning into coloring sheets! Download the latest window HERE.
Owning up to our faults against others and telling them we are sorry is a good way to short circuit any anger they have against us. Putting out the fire of our anger is how love of neighbor works in terms of the Fifth Commandment. It’s hard to be mad at someone who is sorry and apologizes. If you’ve hurt anyone, tell them you’re sorry. Ask for forgiveness. And if anyone asks you for forgiveness, give them the very same forgiveness you will receive when you are in the Lord’s house and your sins are absolved and you feast on Jesus’ Body and Blood. See you in church or online!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
Download this week’s Bulletin, Daily Devotions, NewsNotes and Volunteer Schedules from our website here:
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