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Church Email News – January 8, 2021

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Friday, January 8, 2021

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What a week it has been! Here we all hoped that 2021 would be a better year and it starts off with what can only be described as more chaos! When Jesus began His public ministry, His own people were divided into a bunch of different groups: Pharisees, Sadducess, Essenes, and Zealots. The Zealots, especially, wanted to rise up and overthrow the Romans. Most people of the day thought that when the “Christ” appeared, it would be to overthrow the Roman government and make Israel great again. The point is, chaos and revolution in the world is nothing new. When Jesus is baptized, the Father declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” He’s pleased with the Son not because the Son is going to turn the world upside down but because He’s going to bear the sins of the world as the Lamb of God and save it. The only crown Jesus will wear is one made of thorns. The kingdom of Jesus outlasts all earthly kingdoms and nations. It’s a reminder that no matter what is happening around us, nothing can undo what Jesus has accomplished as the Beloved Son of God who is the Savior of the world. May your hope and comfort be always in Him and “Put not your trust in princes nor in a son of man in whom there is no help.” (Psalm 146). The Lord still gathers His church as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord this week and what Good News that is for us and the whole world.

It seems that Covid is going to keep us from doing many of the things we’re accustomed to as a congregation for a little while longer. While that’s frustrating, give thanks that we can continue to gather together in worship and we are able to stream and record services for those who cannot be present. We have lost many “extras” but the Lord has still granted us what is most essential: His Word and gifts!

Roast Beef Dinner Postponed
As of right now, ZAP’s annual Roast Beef Dinner won’t be happening in January. ZAP hopes to still have it on a different date when things are less restrictive. Stay tuned. And keep saving those “J, G, and L” dollar bills for the ZAP jar in the narthex!

OFFERING ENVELOPES
Your new envelopes for 2021 are now available on the table in the Narthex.

Sunday Bible Studies:

Take time to grow in God’s Word! Our Bible Study schedule returns to its regular times beginning this Sunday.

Sundays:

Bible Study – 9:00-9:30 AM in the Narthex. Reading the Epistle of James

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

Tuesdays – Bible Study at 10:30 AM in the Narthex. (Gospel According to St. Matthew)

STREAMING LINKS
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.

Jesus’ baptism is a mirror image of our baptism. Where we are baptized to wash away our sins, He is baptized to get covered in our sins. Where the Father declares Him the Beloved Son because He is the Savior, He declares you to be His Beloved Child because His Son saved you. Jesus’ baptism is the showing to the world that He is not here to run an earthly government but to accomplish His work as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So we’ll celebrate as we gather around His Word and gifts. See you in the Divine Service this weekend!

In Christ
Pastor Buetow

School Children Singing for Pastor Loest’s Funeral

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

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