It was this week one year ago that the pandemic and all its restrictions hit. This was our last week of school at Zion. We didn’t know we would be closed the rest of the school year yet. It was our last Sunday of worshiping in person with one another. We would not gather again until June and then only in small groups, with in-person worship resuming in July. That’s a long time! As I look back on this past year, I know there are members of our congregation who have differing opinions on how things should be handled, whether we need masks and distancing, and a host of other aspects of the pandemic and government rules. I will note a few things about our life at Zion over the past year, in no particular order.

1. Whatever one’s personal feelings on masks, etc., Zion has been great about following the rules without grumbling.
2. Zion has really kept up with offerings and supporting the congregation. We even got the parking lot done in 2020!
3. We are grateful beyond measure that our school has been able to be open and offer in-person learning this year. Covid has even given us a big bump in our Kindergarten class and First and Second Grade for next year.
4. We are grateful too for the ability to stream and record our services. This has been a great blessing for those who are not able to be here or who are not yet comfortable being around many others.
5. Our members have demonstrated patience and kindness to one another whatever a person’s current arrangements or views on the pandemic are.

I could go on but those are a few of the highlights looking back. Perhaps one question that many asked when it all began is “What are we going to do?” While there are lots of answers to that, there is one answer to the question, “What is Jesus going to do?” He’s going to and has and will continue to take care of His church! He will make sure we still have His Word so that we will never forget that He is stronger even than a bad virus. He has given us our daily bread so that we have it to share with those in need. He comforts us in all afflictions and gives us peace in the midst of upheaval and disaster. In short, Jesus knows what we need and He always provides. He has taken care of Zion and we should be grateful. But we shouldn’t be surprised. After all, the Lord already knew what He would do when this all started. Just like when He fed the 5,000. He already knew what He was going to do. That’s how Jesus operates. He can see ahead to where we can’t and He knows what we need before we even need it! That’s how it is with our salvation and with every other gift that Jesus gives! Hear more about that as we celebrate Laetare-Rejoice! Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent this week!

LAETARE- HAPPY LENT! WEAR YOUR ROSE
To celebrate Laetare, make sure to wear your pink or rose this weekend to church! Also, don’t forget to set your clocks ahead this weekend.
COLLECTIONS FOR THOSE IN NEED
Thank you to everyone who gave for the 1st Way Life Center last week! We had a great gathering of items! (See the picture below). We’ll continue to do that the first Sunday of each month.

We’re also going to be resuming collections for the FISH Food Pantry on the second Sunday of each month and LWML Mites on the third Sunday of each month. We’ll begin these in April so look for more information in the following weeks.

TIME TO ORDER EASTER LILIES
You can order Easter Lilies starting this week. They are $14 and the order form is in the narthex this week. Please have your form and payment to Maria Bremer (or put in the Altar Guild mailbox or return to the Office) by March 24.

LENTEN MIDWEEK WORSHIP
Make sure during Lent to take some extra time during the week for God’s Word and gifts. Join us Wednesdays at 7:00 PM for a Divine Service that is different from Sunday’s. We’ll be hearing how each of the Commandments plays a part in our Lord’s suffering and death. This week it’s the Eighth Commandment: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Come grow in the faith and be refreshed by Jesus.

Bible Studies:
Lent is a good time to recommit to growing in God’s Word. Join us for one of our weekly Bible Studies. You don’t have to read out loud and you don’t have to know all the answers. We learn together as we read God’s Word together.

Sundays:

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

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

Tuesdays – Bible Study at 10:30am 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.
 

This past week we received our second Covid vaccine shots. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Thank you to everyone for your support not only of your pastor, but of our school, and congregation, and one another during this strange year. With Christ as our Lord, there is truly nothing that we need worry about, even our worry- for that has been forgiven too. The Lord bless each and every one of you with the strength and comfort of His gifts and peace! See you in the Divine Service!

In Christ,

Pastor Buetow

2nd Vaccine Shot!