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Church Email News – October 29, 2021

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH NEWS

Friday, October 29, 2021

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Dear Saints of the Lord,

This year, the Festival of the Reformation, October 31, falls on Sunday. While we generally think of the Reformation as starting with Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses, it’s not something that is about Martin Luther. Martin Luther’s whole point in everything he did was to remind the church that the Big Deal isn’t how good we are. The Big Deal is that Jesus died for sinners and promises forgiveness and eternal life by His grace, no strings attached! In our wold today, religion is often shrugged off or ignored as if it’s irrelevant and unnecessary. Martin Luther reminds us, even 500 years later that we still need Jesus as much as ever! If the church is just an institution that controls peoples’ lives, sure, who needs that? But if the church is the place where Jesus Himself comes to His people to bring His mercy and forgiveness, well then we need that more than ever! As we celebrate the Reformation this week, we’re celebrating what God has done for us in Christ. At the heart of this life is the Good News that Jesus died on the cross and rose the third day and that through water, Word, and Body and Blood, He makes sure that salvation is yours! Happy Reformation!

TRUNK OR TREAT SUNDAY
I’m looking forward to our Dayschool children singing in church for our Reformation service this Sunday! It’s been awhile since we’ve heard them do that. After the service we’ll have our Trunk Or Treat! Everyone is welcome to decorate their trunks and pass out goodies to our costumed kids. Invite your friends and family! We’ll decorate after church and start the Trunk Or Treating at 10:30 AM.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD IS GOING
Operation Christmas Child to provide gifts for children around the world through the Samaritan’s Purse organization. We’re doing it a little differently this year. Rather than collecting items and assembling boxes at church, we asking that each family PACK A BOX AND RETURN IT TO CHURCH. You can pick up an empty box at church along with instructions on what items to fill the box with. Shipping is $9 per box so if you’d like to provide that too it is welcome. Likewise, if you prefer to donate cash or checks for the project (for shipping and any extra supplies) you can give money to Susan Buetow on behalf of Ladies Guild. Thank you to Zion’s Ladies Guild for purchasing the boxes for guys to fill! If you have any questions, you let me know. Boxes should be returned to church by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7.

LADIES GUILD CLOTHING DRIVE
The Ladies Guild Clothing Drive is going great! The box had already been filled to overflowing three weeks in a row! Bring your bags of clean clothing (no socks or underwear), shoes, and kitchen and bathroom linens. Items should be put into 30 gallon trash bags and may be placed in the large box in the Rotunda. (Bags are available next to the box if you need to use them). Check out the countdown to our goal of 180 bags! Deadline to bring donations is SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PETER POLLACK
You may remember the Pollacks who were members of Zion and moved to Ohio a couple of years ago. Peter was back in our area for work when he contracted Covid. He has been hospitalized for nearly a month battling the complications. Robin has been at his side every day. She would be grateful for cards sent to him for when he can read them. They would be a comfort to her as well. If you’d like to send a card or note, you can send it to:
Lutheran General Hospital MICU
Attn: Peter Pollack, Room 12
1775 Dempster Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068

MASKS IN WORSHIP
We are currently wearing our masks during worship. At this time there is no restriction on capacity or seating arrangements. Please consider the well-being of your neighbor most especially by staying home if you have any symptoms of illness. As always, you can get in touch with me to request a visit if you can’t be in church. Thank you for your patience and understanding and love of neighbor in all of this!

LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
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.

 

Reformation isn’t just a reminder of God’s grace for sinners. It’s a reminder that with such grace, we can be gracious to one another. If God’s love comes with no strings attached, so should ours! We are justified before God by faith in Jesus Christ. To others, our faith shows in our good works of love and service and forgiving others. See you in the Divine Service this week as we celebrate these wonderful gifts of Jesus!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow

Operation Christmas Child Boxes Coming to School!

Kids Learning about Luther’s Rose
Check them out all over the rotunda & narthex!

Pastor Reading from the Minecraft Bible!

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