Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What an ironic time to hear Jesus say, “Render unto Caesar,” at a time when the government is beginning to roll things back again as Covid keeps increasing. St. Paul reminds us that the governing authorities are given to us by God. Therefore we honor and obey them and pray for them. But the flip side of “render unto Caesar” is “render unto God.” Give God the things of God. What are those? Worship, praise, honor, glory, for sure. But also, give the Lord your sins! He takes them. Makes them His. And the real irony is that as Jesus submits Himself to Caesar, and his representative, Pontius Pilate, He’s doing the Father’s will of saving a sinful world. We’ll hear this Good News this weekend as we celebrate the 23rd Sunday after Trinity.

VOTERS MEETING POSTPONED

Due to increased Covid Restrictions now limiting meetings and gatherings to 10 people, the Voters Meeting scheduled for this Sunday has been POSTPONED INDEFINITELY. We will plan to have the meeting when gathering restrictions are eased again. This will not affect our worship services. (See below).

COVID UPDATES

We have members, school parents and school families affected by Covid. Here is some information on how we’re handling things at Zion.

• No members with Covid have been in worship in a timeframe in which there was a risk of exposure. Likewise, we have had no students or staff with Covid at school when sick. 
• The Northern Illinois District has confirmed that we are not mandated with respect to numbers for religious services. Therefore we will continue to have worship services as we have been, with limit of 50 people, distancing, masks, etc.
• As noted above we are moving to stricter mitigation measures which would mean that meetings and other events would be limited to 10 people. Again, that does not apply to our worship services.
• If you are not feeling well, or if you’ve been exposed to someone who tests positive, or you have any symptoms of illness, please STAY HOME.  Let me know that you’re sick so we can pray for you and, if it is possible, I can bring you Communion.
• We will continue to take attendance at worship in case we need to contact members if there was an exposure.
• Love your neighbor! Wash your hands, social distance, and wear a mask! 
• Please PRAY for all who are sick and especially those battling Covid.

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.

It really feels like this increase of Covid means it’s “closing in” around us more than it has this whole pandemic. It’s a nasty trick of the devil to make us fear this virus more than anything. But there is One who has overcome all things, including death itself. Remember: you are baptized, you are one of the Lord’s chosen ones, a saint, a child of God. There is not a hair of your head that isn’t numbered and not a day of your life that is not in your Father’s hands. In Christ, know that there is nothing that can truly harm you. I’m thankful we can continue to worship and receive the Lord’s gifts and be strengthened in the faith. See you in the Divine Service this weekend!

In Christ,

Pastor Buetow

PS – We had SIX baptisms last week. Children and adults, current and former school families! Thanks be to God!