If you have a batch of bad apples, there’s something wrong with the tree. If you have a batch of healthy, delicious apples, then you can conclude that the apple tree is healthy and productive. This week, Jesus talks about knowing the fruits of the preachers. When we hear the preaching of God’s Word, what fruits do we bear? If the preaching is faithful and true, then the fruit is that we believe in and trust Jesus our Savior. If the preaching is false, the fruit is a trust in ourselves and our own goodness that we think we have. The simple truth is that not all preaching is the same. Christian preaching and teaching should always, always, always be about Jesus and who He is and what He has done for us. In a sermon, you should always listen for some key things: Jesus is our Savior from our sins; Jesus died and rose for us; Jesus gives us that salvation and strengthens us by His Word and Water and Body and Blood. That’s the only preaching or teaching that saves us. The fruit of that preaching is that each of us should be able to clearly and boldly declare: “Jesus is my Savior! My sins are forgiven! I can spend my life loving and serving others.” That’s the other fruit of good preaching. When we don’t have to try to save ourselves, we learn what it means to actually love our neighbor and help them in every need. Beware of false prophets! They just point to you. Faithful and true preaching always, always, points to Jesus. He’s the one I’ll be preaching to you this Sunday, the Eighth Sunday after Trinity.
PASTOR OUT OF TOWN
One more trip this week. I’ll be away Monday through Thursday and back in the office on Friday. We have been blessed with the opportunity to see and spend time with each of our children this summer. If you need emergency pastoral care, call the Office or your Elder.
SPECIAL VOTERS MEETING NEXT SUNDAY
We’re going to haver a Special Voters Meeting next SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, immediately following the Divine Service. The single item is a request by the Board of Property to spend around $7000 to replace the metal doors and frame at the gym/outside entrance. The cost also includes needed maintenance and sealing of the other metal doors around the church and school exterior. If you’ve noticed the rusty doors on your way into he building, we need to fix them!
HELP MOVING FURNITURE
Also next Sunday, August 1, right after our Special Voters Meeting, we could use as many hands as possible to help move furniture out of the back classrooms in preparation for the floors to be stripped and waxed. Please give a few minutes of your time. We’ll have rollers and carts to make the job easy! Thank you!
CHURCH WORK DAY
We’re having a church-wide CLEANING DAY on Sunday, August 8. Wear your cleaning clothes to church and help us with an hour or two of your time. We’re going to be deep-cleaning areas around the church that need attention. We’ll have jobs for all ages and skill levels. We’re even going to provide lunch! Let’s all comet together to beautify our building and grounds and make a wonderful impression for our visitors and soon-returning school families! 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).
No Learning the Faith on Sundays, August 1 and 8 (for voters and cleaning).
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.
ZAP COLLECTION THIS WEEK
Bring an extra offering for our Zion Assistance Program this week if you are so inclined. You may place it in the jar in the narthex.
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.
Beware of false prophets! Thats’ what Jesus tells us because He doesn’t want our ears captivated by garbage that doesn’t help and save us. The Good Shepherd wants each of us to know of God’s love for us through His Son. The Holy Spirit uses faithful preaching to stir up our hearts with faith in God and lover for one another. See you in the Divine Service Sunday as we hear the Good News of Jesus again this week!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
Ladies Guild Dinner!
Download this week’s Bulletin, Daily Devotions, and NewsNotes from our website here: