Dear Sons and Daughters of the King,
This past Wednesday we celebrated the Ascension of Our Lord. It was like the Victory Day for Jesus “whom heaven receives until the time of the restoration of all things.” It’s like a coronation day and a victory parade and a winning celebration all rolled into one and then some! Jesus has ascended on high and has all majesty and glory. Jesus doesn’t “go away” though. Mark’s Gospel tells us that after He ascended, the apostles went out and preached, “the Lord working with them.” That means that even though we cannot see Jesus with our eyes, He is right here in this world where His church is, where His Word is proclaimed, and where His body and blood are given. God has made you a part of the royal family through His Son. We forget that sometimes as we slog through this life with all its sorrows and challenges. But you are a child of the Most High! You are a son or daughter of the King. His kingdom has no end and that means our lives in that kingdom will have no end. After all, we confess that we believe in the “life everlasting!” This week we hear Jesus telling us of the coming of the Holy Spirit. He’s preparing us for Pentecost. When the Spirit comes, He brings Jesus’ gifts and gives us faith that trusts in Jesus. That’s life in Christ’s kingdom as we celebrate the Seventh and last Sunday of the Easter season this week.
LWML MITE BOX SUNDAY
Bring your LWML Mite Boxes full of change this weekend! Or, bring your loose change to put on the big Mite Box in the narthex. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League uses those mites—which add up!— to fund mission projects at home and around the world.
VOTERS MEETING THIS SUNDAY
The May Voters Meeting is this Sunday, May 16 at 9:00 AM. (No Bible Study or Learning the Faith that Day). Main items are Elections and the 2021-22 Budget. Please plan to attend.
VBS PLANNING THIS WEEK
We have a VBS Planning Meeting THIS SUNDAY after late service (about 11:30 AM). Anyone who wants to help with VBS is invited to attend.
SOFTBALL THIS WEEK
Zephyrs play Monday at 6:30 p.m. Township 4 AND 7:30 p.m. Township 1. Bring a chair to sit and watch and help cheer them to a win!
!!!REMINDER!!! – FIRST COMMUNION AND EXTRA SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 23
A reminder that NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 23, the 10:30 AM service will include First Communion. In order to accommodate everyone, we’re offering a 9:00 AM Divine Service. All are welcome at 10:30, of course, but 9:00 AM is an option for those who might want to avoid a larger crowd.
A NOTE ON CAPACITIES AND COVID GUIDELINE UPDATES
Beginning today and over the next few weeks, Illinois will be opening things back up to a greater degree. The Elders and I have been discussing the possibility of returning to one service some time in June. We are being careful to follow guidelines and not rush things so as to make members uncomfortable. We will keep our current schedule through May since we have many upcoming events this month that people are already planning for. Stay tuned for more details as Illinois updates its Covid rules.
UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS
Here are some dates to note coming up soon.
SUNDAY, MAY 16 – VOTERS MEETING, 9 AM (No Bible Study/Learning the Faith)
SUNDAY, MAY 16 – VBS PLANNING, 11:30 AM
SUNDAY, MAY 23 – FIRST COMMUNION SERVICE, 10:30 AM. We will also have a 9 AM service that day to accommodate those who would normally go to the 10:30 AM service.
SUNDAY, MAY 30, 10:30 AM – Worship at Fish Lake (through Labor Day Weekend).
JUNE 7-11, 9 AM – NOON – Vacation Bible School
LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
You can watch our services live-streamed Sunday at 7:45 or recorded for later.
You can watch live and find recorded services 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.
The Holy Spirit bears witness to the Truth. The Truth is Jesus, who died and rose to save us. The world doesn’t like that message. It doesn’t want a Savior and it will even persecute and attack those who believe in Christ. Jesus tells us this so that we’re not surprised. Rather, we rejoice in our sufferings knowing Christ has overcome them all. Hear that Good News and be strengthened in the faith that clings to Jesus. See you in the Divine Service this weekend!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
Mother’s Day
Look for Zion in the Spring Northwest Quarterly!
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