Dear Members and Friends of Zion,

In this week’s Gospel, a Gentile woman wants Jesus to come and heal her daughter, casting out the devil that is in her. Jesus seems at first to refuse and then even calls her a name: a dog! “But even the little dogs get the crumbs,” she replies, clinging to Jesus in faith. She’s an example for us who regularly wrestle with God as Jacob did, hoping, expecting, and asking Him to do some good thing for us. Sometimes an answer to our prayers seems a long time coming. This woman throws Jesus’ words back at Him in a way that He can’t wiggle out of. It’s as if she says to Him, “Sure, you can call me a dog, but even dogs get something from their masters! Call me a dog, Jesus, but I know that even a few crumbs will help my daughter and destroy the devil’s power over her.” That’s faith. She doesn’t bargain with Jesus or present reasons why she is worthy to have Him consider her request. She simply clings to His mercy, knowing He’s not the kind of Savior to leave someone in the grip of the evil one. So for us. We are gathered in church to claim from Jesus the words and promises He made to us in our Baptism and in His Word and at His Supper, namely, that He forgive our sins and give us everlasting life! That’s this week the Second Sunday in Lent.

 

BE IN GOD’S WORD

Sunday, 8:00 AM – The Book of Daniel. What does this prophet have to say for us today? How does Daniel point to Christ?

Learning the Faith – A look at the ways that Jesus demonstrates He is really the Christ and the Son of God.

Tuesdays at 10:30 AM – Reading the Book of Exodus. God saves His people and keeps His promises!

LENTEN SUPPERS AND MIDWEEK WORSHIP

Join us each Wednesday in Lent at 5:30 PM for a meal before worship. Suppers are hosted by different boards, committees, and members of the church and will continue each Wednesday through March 20. Then take some extra time to receive the Lord’s gifts in the Divine Service at 7 PM.

This week’s dinner is potluck style; please consider signing up to bring something to share this week. Sign up is on the table in the narthex. 

 

LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES

Do you know someone who suffers from gender dysphoria? Like many such struggles, it is hard to comprehend if it is not an affliction we bear. How can we share the love of Christ with someone who is transgender? On Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16 we’ll be hearing from Greg Eilers on the topic of transgender Christians. Greg is a retired Missouri Synod pastor who struggled with this very thing. He’ll give us a biblical and compassionate look at how to understand and love our neighbors who are transgender. Why have a speaker on this topic? Probably someone you know has someone among their family or friends who identifies as transgender. We often think something like “How can a man want to be a woman?” The issue is far more complicated than that. Gender dysphoria exists because of the Fall as so many other difficulties do. We’re taking this opportunity to be educated about the issues surrounding transgender but also to learn how to be loving and compassionate to everyone around us. Detailed information about the event and the speaker is available on the table in the narthex. You can also download the flyer at THIS LINK.

If you’re planning to attend, please register for a (free) ticket online HERE. (You can also call the Church Office to reserve a spot). This will help us with planning for food for the event.

TACOS AND TRIVIA
Our school’s “Tacos and Trivia” night is on Saturday, April 13, 6-9pm. Gather a team of your family and friends to purchase a table and be part of the party. Food will be provided (BYOB), there will be basket raffles of items from local businesses, and prizes for best decorated team tables. It’s going to be a fun night to benefit our school as we raise money for additional swings and playground equipment. Registration forms are available on the table in the narthex. Tables of up to 8 are $150 and Individual Registrations are $25 (and we’ll put you at a table with others).

 

LIVE STREAM INFORMATION 

Reminder that we are only live-streaming on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month (and special services as announced). 

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. 

 

It can very often seem like God isn’t hearing our prayers or that He’s even ignoring us. Faith doesn’t try to “pray harder” but rather to simply trust that the Lord will deliver and answer us according to His good and gracious will. This Gentile “dog lady” reminds us that we cling to Jesus no matter what, because of who He is. He’s the Savior who saves us! See you in the Divine Service!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow