It’s easy to compare ourselves to others. We all know someone of whom we could say that we work harder than they do, are better parents, are better Christians, even! The sinful nature delights in trying to tell God how great we are! Just like the Pharisee. “I’m so glad I’m not like other people, especially that tax collector over there!” That tax collector already knew that. He knew he wasn’t better than anyone. He knew that all he had was God’s mercy, so he asks for that: “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner!” He went home righteous in God’s sight. The Pharisee? Not so much. Coming before God with nothing is how He gives us everything in His Son Jesus. Coming to God full of ourselves and our life and our stuff means there’s nothing God has for us. To humble ourselves is to come before the Lord and say, “I’ve got nothing, Lord…nothing except your mercy and that is enough and more!” The Pharisee and the tax collector, coming this Sunday to a pulpit near you! It’s the 11th Sunday after Trinity!

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL! 

Thank you for your prayers and support of our school. The first three days were great! Kids are doing well and adjusting to new ways of doing things with masks and some distancing.

Get your Spirit Wear and Mums!

Here are two ways to help support our school –

SPIRIT WEAR: Show your school pride. Kids get a special prize for wearing purple or Zion Lion Spirit wear on Fridays. This year, we also have masks available in Youth and Adult sizes. It’s easy to ORDER ONLINE.

MUMS: Countryside Nursery Mums are spectacular flowers. Pre-Order price is just $10.

Order forms for both are available in the Narthex.

Here’s other important stuff to know:

BIBLE STUDY AND WORSHIP SCHEDULE

The Elders and I met this week and we’ve worked out our worship and Bible Study schedule through September.

Bible Studies: 

For the rest of August, we will not hold Sunday Bible Study between services.

Beginning Sunday, September 13, we will have Bible Studies as follows:

Bible Study – 9:00-9:30 AM in the Narthex.

Learning the Faith (all ages) – 9:45-10:30am in the Gym.

As always, you can join us Tuesdays in the Narthex at 10:30 AM

Worship Services

We will continue Sunday services at 7:45 AM and 10:30 AM at least through September. We’ll see at that time whether it would be a good idea to return to a Saturday and one Sunday service.

Labor Day Weekend Late Service at Fish Lake

We will have our 10:30 AM service at Fish Lake Campground on Sunday, September 6. There will NOT be a service at church at 10:30 (7:45 will be as usual). If you’d like to join us you are welcome to do so at the Fish Lake Campground Shelter. Just let them know at the gate that you’re there for the Zion service. Masks are required for the service at Fish Lake (although it’s outdoors, with many people distancing may not be possible even in the shelter).

STREAMING:

We will continue to stream and record one of our Sunday services. 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.
Color A Stained Glass Window
Our church stained glass windows are turning into coloring sheets! Download the latest window
HERE.

PARKING LOT UPDATE:

Our Contractor choice has been made, A&A Paving out of Roselle. Trustees are working with them on a timeline which should be in within the next month. Many thanks to everyone who has given additional offerings and put in time and work on this project. We’re almost there!

The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector is one of the clearest and simplest teachings of Jesus on the subject of our self-righteousness and the true righteousness that only Jesus gives. Everything about fake and false religion and true faith are summed up in this short but great story. “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner,” is the prayer of every Christian, every follower of Jesus. The answer to that prayer, is Jesus life and death and resurrection for you! See you in worship or see us online!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow