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ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Friday, November 6, 2020

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you owed someone $10 million and they told you that the debt was cancelled and then you saw an acquaintance who owed you $200 that you lent them, what would you do? It seems obvious that if we have so generously had a debt cancelled, that we would hardly nickel and dime others. Yet when it comes to forgiveness, we do that often! Our “sin debt” to God is really astounding. We could never work it off or pay it back. But because of Calvary, your debt gets a great big “paid in full!” So, now, when someone sins against you, do you hold a grudge? Stop talking to that person? Harbor anger at them in your heart? Silently stew about it? Or do you tell them, “Look, God doesn’t hold my sins against me so there’s no way I’ll hold your sins against you!” Amen! Forgiveness is free from God. It’s hard to pass on to others. Our life as Christians is lived in the forgiveness of Jesus which isn’t just that our debts are cancelled; it’s that the debts of others are cancelled. Join us as we celebrate the gift of forgiveness and receive more forgiveness this week so that we have more forgiveness to give to others! In a day and age when everyone seems to be doing their own thing, that forgiveness is needed! Forgiveness: That’s the heart of the Good News we hear as we celebrate the 22nd Sunday after Trinity this weekend!

Holy Baptism This Sunday

We are thankful that we have six baptisms planned for this Sunday! They include school students and some of their parents! They’ll receive the gift of Holy Baptism at the 10:30am service.

Covid Guidelines Update

As you probably have heard, our region is being dialed back by tighter Covid guidelines. The Elders and I have discussed the situation and we believe that the measures we have been taking have, by the Lord’s blessing, been effective in preventing any Covid outbreaks. To that end, we will not be adjusting our procedures or guidelines for worship at this time. We will continue with our services as scheduled, capping services at 50 people. Official word from the state of Illinois and the District is that churches are now classified as “essential” and are not subject to the limit of 25.

As always, if you are sick, or have symptoms, please forego in-person worship until you are better. Let me know if you’d like a visit with Communion. I am happy to bring you the Lord’s gifts! Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Love your neighbor!

Voters Meeting

We are still planing to conduct our Fall Voters Meeting next Sunday, November 15 at 9am (Between services; We will not have Bible Study or Learning the Faith that day). The main business is election of officers and board members which was postponed from our May meeting.

Please note: Copies of proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws are available in the narthex for review. These are minor items requested by the LCMS Northern Illinois District. We’ll vote on them at the meeting on November 15.

Bible Study Opportunities:
Take time to grow in God’s Word!
Sundays:
Bible Study – 9:00-9:30 AM in the Narthex. Reading the Epistle of James
Learning the Faith (all ages) – 9:45-10:30 AM in the Gym.
Tuesdays – Bible Study at 10:30 AM in the Narthex. (Gospel According to St. Matthew)

STREAMING:
Our Sunday service is 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.

I know that the level of stress and uncertainty is mounting along with the Covid counts. So more than ever we need to hear the Good News that Jesus is unchanging, that the Lord is still Lord of all, and that our Savior really is working all things out for our good. The begins with cancelling our biggest debt: our sins! See you in the Divine Service this weekend!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow

School Kids Celebrating Halloween Last Week

Download this week’s Bulletin, Daily Devotions, NewsNotes and Volunteer Schedules from our website here:

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