“Judge not!” It’s like the one Bible verse all the unbelievers know and they throw it in the face of Christians whom they perceive to be judgmental. But there’s another part of Jesus words there that nobody seems to remember:

“Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful!” People who often quote “Don’t judge” don’t also mean “Be merciful.” What they mean is something like, “Don’t tell me what to do” or “leave me alone.” As disciples of Jesus, we’re not really concerned with how others hear Jesus’ words. We are to learn from them to have mercy on others. People we like. People we don’t like. Fellow believers. Unbelievers. To have mercy is to have mercy like God does: unconditionally, without limits, no strings attached. Mercy is to be treated not as we deserve. Judgment is to treat others as we think they deserve. In Christ, God has mercy on us. His death and resurrection even for those who don’t care or don’t want to believe it are the very definition of the Father’s mercy. Look around and see the people around you. Do they need to be judged? Condemned? Or do they need to be told, “Your sins don’t count against you; not for God; not for me either, because that’s how He’s had mercy on me!” That’s the Good News we hear this coming Fourth Sunday after Trinity.

SIGN UP FOR ZION’S NEW TEXT MESSAGE SERVICE

In order to better communicate with our members, school families, and friends of Zion, we’ve begun using a texting service. Text messages are an easy way for us to keep folks up to date on news and happenings around Zion. To sign up, send “Hi” to the following phone number: (815) 240-0546. You’ll receive a link to click and sign up with your information. You can also sign up by clicking >>>THIS LINK. 

After that, you’re all set and will get messages from church when we send them out. This service also enables us to communicate with individuals directly so it’s a great way to stay in touch with the Office! Make sure to add this number to your Contacts!

PLEASE SIGN UP! WE ARE LOOKING FOR AS CLOSE TO 100% PARTICIPATION AS WE CAN GET SO WE CAN BETTER COMMUNICATE WITH ALL OUR MEMBERS

PIZZA WITH PASTOR
College students and young adults are invited for pizza with Pastor. We’ll meet at BuddyZ in McHenry on SUNDAY, JULY 17 at NOON. Come on out to enjoy some food and fellowship!

ZION ZEPHYRS
Schedule change: there will be no game on Monday, July 11. Make-up games will be Monday, July 18 at 8:30 p.m. on Township 1 and Monday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. on Township 2.

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT 2022-23
Our school is now enrolling for next 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!

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.

All around us, in the chaos of this world, we hear cries for “justice” but you never hear a cry for mercy. That’s a uniquely Christian message: unique because we know for sure that God really is merciful: the cross and empty tomb of Jesus say so! Be merciful, as your Father in heaven is merciful! See you this week in the Divine Service as the gifts of Jesus remove the specks and logs from our eyes!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow