This week begins the short season of “Pre-Lent.” It’s a transition from the Epiphany season to the Lenten season; we move from the stories of Jesus manifesting who He is to His triumph over the devil and His greatest work as the Lamb of God on Calvary and His resurrection on Easter. The “Gesima” Sundays are roughly how many days until Easter: 70, 60, 50, and then the 40 days of Lent. This Sunday (Septuagesima) we hear the Parable of the Sower. How come people hear God’s Word but don’t believe it? How come some fall away? How come some believe and are faithful? Jesus tell us: the seed of His Word falls in all different places and various things happen to it. But the real Good News in this parable is the Sower. He doesn’t sow like an ordinary farmer. He throws the seed all over the place, almost wastefully it seems! That’s because Jesus’ Word is for everyone. The whole world! Some may not believe or some may fall away, but you, who have that Word planted in you, are watered by the Spirit to bring forth the fruits of faith, good works that glorify God and serve your neighbor. That’s the kind of Gracious Sower Jesus is: His Word is for everyone!

I had my surgery on Tuesday and was home Wednesday afternoon. Thank you to everyone who called, texted, sent cards, and checked on me through the Office. Your love and support mean a great deal to me and Susan and we are very grateful. I’m generally feeling OK, mostly just discomfort as the effects of surgery wear off. I’m going to lay low for the next week to recover and rest (and until I get the catheter removed!) If you need to contact me, please feel free. You’re welcome to call or text. Thank you for your continued prayers!

SCHEDULE CHANGES
Some schedule changes for the next couple of weeks:
Sunday Feb. 13 and 20 – No 8am Bible Class or Learning the Faith
Tuesdays, Feb. 8, 15, and 22 – No 10:30am Bible Class

If you need anything while I’m recovering, please call your elder or the Church Office and we’ll arrange pastoral care.

GUEST PREACHER
Thank you to the Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, President of our Northern Illinois District for filling in for worship this week.

Reminder: There is no Bible Class Sunday or Learning the Faith after church. Also, no Tuesday Bible Class or Wednesday evening service.

PEW ATTENDANCE CARDS
We’ve gone back to using the Pew Cards for attendance. Please fill those out and give them to the usher when you come up for Communion or put them on the table next to the Offering Plate. Thank you for helping us keep our records up to date!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD UPDATE
We tracked several of the boxes made by our school and church families. Our boxes went to Guatemala and the Philippines. We pray they were a blessing to the children who received them!

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOR 2022-23
We’ll soon be opening up enrollment at Zion for next School Year. If you know anyone with children ages 3 years old through Second Grade, send them our way for more information on our Christ-centered academic excellence!

UPDATE ON PETER POLLACK
Robin told me that Peter is a go for transplant. He should undergo the procedure as soon as lungs become available. Please continue to keep the Pollacks in your prayers (as well as the family of the donor when that time comes) and if you’d like to follow up with another card or note, you can send that to him here:

Ohio State University
Ross Heart Hospital
452 W. 10th Avenue
Room 4046, Peter Pollack
Columbus OH 43210

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 at the links below:
We stream live on our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.
Our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.

The Sower sows like crazy. Jesus’ Word goes everywhere. Sometimes we might see in ourselves the bad places the word might fall. It offers us an opportunity to pray the Lord of the Harvest to keep us in Christ’s Word and growing fruitfully. I pray the Lord’s Word will grow in you daily and richly and bring forth much fruit to His glory. See you soon and thanks for your prayers!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow

Holy Baptism – One of Our First Graders – Ari!