By the wonders of the internet, you’ll be reading this while we’re in Reno visiting our daughter. Some thoughts as you prepare for worship this week. It’s the Seventh Sunday after Trinity and it’s the Feeding of the Four Thousand. The simple point of this story is that the Lord provides and He does so even before we know we need help. Not just daily bread either. Our life and salvation. The point that Jesus is making is that if you can trust Him to take care of your tummy, you can trust Him to take care of your eternal life too! The Lord is gracious and merciful and cares for His people. You are His dear and precious people and you should know that He cares for you. Cast all your burdens on Him. He’ll never leave you or forsake you. Often, you may be surprised how He’s working all things out for your good even when you can’t see it! That’s what He was doing for those hungry disciples and that’s His promise to you, too!

PASTOR OUT OF TOWN
We’re returning from our trip to Reno this Monday and I’ll be back in the Office on Tuesday, July, 20. If you need pastoral care, call your Elder or the Office and they will get you in touch with Pastor Richardson (St. John, Island Lake) who is covering any emergencies while I’m gone. 

GUEST PREACHER
Thank you to Pastor Gary Peterson for conducting the service and preaching this Sunday while I’m away.

BRINGING BEAUTY TO THE LORD’S HOUSE – A PROCESSIONAL CRUCIFIX
This year marks the 145th Anniversary of the Lord’s congregation at Zion, McHenry. It’s also been five years since we’ve had a major project to beautify the Lord’s sanctuary (our stained glassed windows!) Things have come together to present an opportunity for Zion to acquire a one-of-a-kind piece of art: a Processional Crucifix by Lutheran Artist Ed Riojas.

This processional crucifix (read more below) is being sold by the artist for $12,000. HOWEVER…we have a generous donor who has agreed to match funds for us, bringing our cost to $6000. At the recommendation of our Elders, Church Council has approved asking for donations to raise the $6000 for this piece to adorn the sanctuary and to be used in worship. As you’ll read below, the processional crucifix is full of details that confess our faith in Jesus, the testimony of the Gospels, and the foundation of the Word of God. If you wish to make an offering for this please place it in an envelope (or mark your check with a memo) for “PROCESSIONAL CRUCIFIX.”

You can read the artist’s commentary and see pictures of the crucifix at THIS LINK.

SUMMER SCHEDULE CHANGES
Please note the following exceptions to our regular schedule over the summer:

No Wednesday Service – July 28.

No Tuesday Bible Study during the month of July. (We resume August 3).

LWML MITES COLLECTION
Bring your Mite Boxes or loose change this Sunday for our LWML Mite Collection. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League uses those mites – which add up! — to accomplish mission projects around the world.

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
Come on out and cheer on our Zion Zephyrs. They play Monday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. Zephyrs vs. St. John’s, Township 1.

LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
We will continue to Live Stream and Record the service each week:

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 Lord knows what we need before we even ask and He is faithful in providing it. That’s part of what we celebrate when we are gathered in the Lord’s house. Not just the daily bread of our groceries but the Bread of Life who is Jesus Himself! The Lord bless your worship this Sunday and I’ll see you soon!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow